As a young child growing up, who gave you instruction, taught you to function normally in the world, and created your boundaries? I'll bet your answer is your parents and a host of other people with whom you came in contact. As you entered adulthood, your teachers became more numerous and came from more varied sources.

Even today, you learn from your daily interactions, observations of others, and through other media. As all those people were teachers in your life, so you are a teacher for everyone in your life.

If you are a teacher, then what are you teaching? Think about it. This is a serious question that could change your life.

Another serious question is how do you teach other people? I'll answer the last question first and then address what you are teaching.

You teach those around you to a large extent by all your actions and non-actions. All actions or non-actions have some effect associated with them either positive or negative.

An action can have the effect of generating a negative outcome such as physical or emotional hurt / damage, disease, fear, distrust, scarcity thinking, or damaged security. Other actions can have the effect of creating positive results, uplifting a person's spirits, increasing esteem, serving others in a loving way, and adding value to work, environment, and our world.

Non-actions teach by telling people what is not important. Non-actions can also have positive and negative outcomes. For instance, non-action taken when actions are producing positive results is building a better world.

However, non-action taken when other actions and results are detracting and damaging the world we live yields negative effects. For instance, doing nothing when people are gossiping, need feedback to change damaging behaviors, or avoiding communication when it is needed to bridge damaging differences, perceptions, and agendas all cause damage to our world.

The question then becomes, what are you teaching? Are you teaching undesirable or desirable actions and effects? What follows is a partial list to get you thinking.

Undesirable Actions & Effects

Inflicting willful physical harm

Inflicting willful mental harm

Avoiding responsibility

Avoiding accountability

Blaming others

Serving yourself at the expense of others

Damaging competition

Thinking negative thoughts

Using foul language

Gossiping about people

Maintaining a negative attitude

Choosing to dislike some people

Wallowing in pity

Reacting defensively

Engaging in anger or hate

Resisting needed changes

Denying your need to change

Avoiding learning and growth

Non-action in every situation above

Desirable Actions & Effects

Engaging in healthful physical activities

Showing appreciation, love, respect

Taking responsibility for your work and life

Being accountable for your actions

Doing what you can to get needed results

Serving others to build a better world

Engaging in positive uplifting competition

Holding positive thoughts in mind

Using language filled with enthusiasm

Talking about the best in all people

Maintaining a positive attitude

Liking and respecting all people

Acknowledging your untapped greatness

Framing all situations in a positive light

Responding in a positive way to all events

Willingly embracing change

Acknowledging your need to change

Embracing learning and personal growth

Engaging in action in all situations above

Inventory time! Print this article and place a check mark by each action and effect in which you regularly engage.

Where do most of your check marks fall? What do you want to change?

Take one or two items at a time, set a goal, and take new actions to establish new attitudes and habits in that area. Before you know it, your work and life will change and you will be making greater positive contributions to your world. You will become a better teacher!