For The Children

I have two kids - "Bun", 11, and Sam, 10. They are, of course, the biggest thing on earth for me.

I was thinking about this today at the gym; if I could make absolutely certain that they kids could grow up with ten ideas front and center in their minds, these would be them.

:

10. Remember the Golden Rule - It truly is a great way to live life. And if you don't, even after I'm long dead, I'll come down from heaven and kick your butt.

9. You will never regret learning a musical instrument. - But someday, you'll regret not learning one. Don't just learn to saw away at notes, though; play in public. It can be in an auditorium, it can be for your family, but play music for others. It's good for them, and incredible for you.

8. "Honesty" Does Not Mean "Right To Be Cruel and Solipsistic" - People who confuse excessive, self-gratifying frankness for "honesty" are loathsome, sorry creatures indeed; people for whom their own satisfaction trumps all humility and empathy. Don't become one. Be honest - but remember your Golden Rule as well.

7.You'll never regret learning a foreign language. - It'll open your eyes to whole new worlds, on a subconscious level. It'll wire your brain for things you don't even know exist. And in my house, you have no choice. Hasta la vista, baybee.

6. Stay Kids - but Don't Remain Adolescents - You don't have to be in a hurry to grow up. And you never have to lose your childlike wonder at the world around you - in fact, it's a great thing. But you can shed your adolescent self-absorption on Graduation night, thank you very much.

5. You'll Never Regret Learning To Speak In Public - Take a speech class. Learn a lot from it.

4. You're Better Than That - Whatever it is; relationships with people who say you'll never find better; a boss who treats you like chattel; politicians who regard you as captive votes. Being a humble person doesn't preclude telling these people which dock they can knievel from.

3. Worry About What People Think Of You Only After You've Granted Them The Right To Have An Opinion - Grant that right very sparingly.

2. Respect Yourself - No, don't esteem yourself, it's not good enough; you have to have respect. And treat yourself like you mean it. Only then can you insist others do the same.

1. God Hasn't Forgotten You - Even though you may forget God. I have to remind myself of this daily; this last five months have been hellish. And yet it's all true. You wouldn't be here if it weren't. Remember - prayer is God's online help - unlike Microsoft online help, it is actually helpful.

I'm sure the list will morph in the next eight years, but for now it's my working draft.

Posted by Mitch at June 3, 2003 08:29 PM