"To be a (2BA) good man or a good woman - what does it take?"
Well, let us begin with:
Talk #1: The Level Set
[What if you shared something like the following with your 10 year old?]
You need to know this – society will throw a ton of crap at you as to what you should think and what you should have. That is manipulation. You need to know the following and then make decisions that are honorable. For when you choose actions that are not – you and or those you care for and love, will be hurt. So please - understand the following:
It doesn't matter who you are or where you were born.
Some will have it easier and some harder, but in reality – most will be like you, challenged in a variety of ways throughout all your years.
Some will have a higher level of intelligence, or be more athletic,
or have greater artistic capabilities and that is okay.
Some are optimistic, some pessimistic and some apathetic.
Some will become honorable, some disgusting, and the rest in between.
You may not have as many options as some but you always have a choice.
Some will step up, some will hide and some will just watch.
It all can be summarized by this. Life is not fair but it is precious.
Our character is like forged steel. It is comprised of different elements and then heated to the extreme (the challenges of life). Many become strong and honorable, some become weak and defective; and the rest end up in the middle ground - somewhat useful. And yes, there are examples of every type of individual who has made hard decisions and have impacted their situation, their family, their community, or the world. The opposite is true as well. Which raises the question . . . what will you embrace and what will you try to share and to encourage your children to know and to pursue?
Now as an example – what if in that talk with your 10 year old, you had a good discussion on those 7 points of understanding? Questions raised, concerns discussed . . . probably and at a minimum, a good foundation for your next talk.
Is there anything more that could be shared? Oh yes and that is up to you to decide. One thing that came into my mind as I wrote this is the song Turn, Turn, Turn [which is based on based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ]. So if you can, go listen to that song, ponder those and these words and determine – what else would you add to a level set discussion with you kids? Because these types of discussions help to set the tone for learning for being ready or at least as best can, for what challenges can unfold ahead for anyone. |