I am convinced that it is those Ole' EXPECTATIONS that are the root of our demise.
Whether they are our own or others imposed on us, for me, it often feels like I flew into a spider web and I am not quite sure how to get out. There are so many "shoulds and shouldn'ts" floating around, it is a wonder there is room to breath (and, by this I mean physical, emotional and spiritual room).
THE REAL PROBLEM FOR ME IS : I don't want to just breath, I want to breath freely.
This idea is dedicated to my sister on her birthday today and to all of those like us who just can't settle for breathing like the majority of the world.
I propose that we adopt a new set of "VALUES" (which I prefer to think of instead of expectations).
In an article in Cosco Magazine (2005) entitled "The Wisdom to be Crazy" it proposes to "nurture a culture where it's safe to be a little crazy." I second the motion!!
Wouldn't it be grand if the expectations floating around went something like this:
1)It's not whether you win or loss, nor even how you play the game but how much fun you have playing it!
2)Play should be considered a form of work. I vote for a 3 Day weekend and 4 day work week!!
3)You could be praised as much for curiosity, playfulness, creativity and imagination as you are for responsibility, academic and professional success, monetary advantage, etc etc
CREATIVE CHALLENGE
Try to come up with your own set of "NEW RULES" and see what your kids would say.
My 12 year old would say, "Why spend time working when you can be playing!"
(Since we grown ups know that is not possible, I would like to rephrase it a bit:
"if work has no element of fun in it, then maybe there is other work to find that does)
My 16 year old would say, "Resting is totally underrated"
My 19 year old would say, "Don't worry, it could always be worse"
FINAL THOUGHT : PERHAPS THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE THE ONES TO MAKE THE RULES!
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