"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." - Eleanor Roosevelt
First of all, I have to say that this is one of my favorite people in all of American History. I have read her biography and I am proud to say that I share some of her philosophy on life and education.
Today, I was reading the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ,in a letter to the editor. A mother of 3 sons replied on the Presidential address to school aged children. " I believe in democracy, freedom of speech and diversity. Varied opinions make the world interesting. They broaden our thoughts and deepen our understandings, even if we never agree." "While I understand the parental instinct to protect one's child from harm and hurt, I hope that instead of censorship we each take this opportunity to sit down with our children to teach them to be thinkers and listeners and tell them that with hard work, an education and sheer determination, they too can be president of the United States."
This mother's insight is true wisdom. I believe that we must take courage as Eleanor Roosevelt spoke of and allow these uncomfortable conversations to be developing diving boards to better prepare us: parents, teachers, and leaders of businesses or heads of state, to build the ground work for those tougher conversations that will happen later in a child's life.
I like to call these seemingly smaller conversations "feather beds". What I mean by that is, we lay the ground work and build the relationships so when the harder more painful moments in life happen we are better prepared. We in essence lay a common ground of understanding a "feather bed",so when we disagree or hurt each other the "feather bed catches us and allows us to hit a soft place. The common ground of love and respect.
Its just a thought ,but how do we lay feather beds in our own relationships?
i really like this adam...its a GREAT alternative to look at. its got my mind racing now, but a little disappointed at the same time. it seems, well at least from this little spot in meridian i am at right now in my life, that parents just don't care anymore. this world has made parenting a hobby...maybe it doesnt just go for parenting, something is definitely missing though; when are people going to actually start taking the time to stop and listen and teach others how the world truly is? why aren't we more prepared, instead of having the rug yanked out from under us, why cant there be a "feather bed" to break the fall? (i dont know if that really makes sense cause i know exactly in my head what i think but i cant seem to get it written the same way...oh well i tried! but i still like your thought!!)
ReplyDeleteI love the "feather bed" visual. I hope we are creating that for our kids in our home. Over the years I have really gotten down to the bare bones of what I truly believe. I knew they would be able to tell if I was just spitting out "churchy" stuff because I was suppose to. I don't have any real clear answers on right and wrong...beyond the 10 Commandments. But, I know for sure what my responsibilities in this life are...to love God, walk humbly before Him and love people. I think that means we need to respect everyone and listen to each other...especially when we disagree. I want our kids to know how diverse this world is. I think if we try to protect them too much, we only make them afraid; then they end up living on the defense. I want them to be well-educated, participate and be proactive, but do it with grace and sincere respect...knowing that listening gives you the opportunity to hear new ideas ....and possibly opens the other person ears to listen to you.
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