We are going through parent-teacher conferences with our kids this week and it is apparent to both Kathryn and I that our kids have, for the most part, some very dedicated and excellent teachers. Last year we enrolled all of them (7) in a charter school in our area, Excelsior Academy, and we are certainly reaping the benefits.
The teachers the kids had at the public elementary were great, with a few exceptions, but we felt like this was an opportunity that we would like to take advantage of.
Last night I watched a video, 1st in a series of 5, about Japanese schools that teach compassion. Amazing video. So many times I see my own children zone out, probably because they see me do the same thing when I come home from a long day at work. They don't seem to be there. They don't seem to feel at times. As a parent that troubles me. They are kids and they should feel joy every day. I am an adult and I should feel joy every day.
To help change that environment at work I have been a big advocate of ROWE (Results Only Work Environment) but the state is slow in moving. Give people a chance to succeed and they will shape their own future. I have been fascinated by the way people approach their work when they know that their schedule is up to them.
To change this at home I am going to try to give my children more of myself, more freedom, more activities instead of more TV and more homework, things that will help them learn and grow. I love Boy Scouts and it is a fantastic family opportunity for activities.
Hope you will find ways to have feelings in your life as well. No more robot Dads.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Compassion and School
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Pure Joy
Last night at Scouts we played a game called 'Paul Revere' where the boys lined up single file in their patrols (the Fiery Arrows and Eagles). One boy was chosen as Paul Revere and the rest of the boys were the horses. Paul Revere had to climb on the horse (piggy back) and the horse had to run down about 10 feet, turn around and come back. Then Paul Revere had to be transferred to the next horse without him touching the ground and only the help of the two horses.
The Fiery Arrow patrol has a boy named Gareth Forbes in it - I love Gareth, he was in my Primary class last year and you always know what Gareth is feeling by the look on his face. Gareth was chosen as Paul Revere in his patrol because he was the lightest (not by much Mr. Torgerson) and wasn't going to be able to carry anybody much bigger than he was.
The races started and the Eagles won handily both times - they have some great athletes (at least Zachary is great in his own mind). But the Fiery Arrows had the best time. Gareth was laughing, shouting, screaming at his horse to go faster, frustrated when they didn't win - I think he felt nearly every human emotion in those two minutes of races. He was falling off half of the time. Only team work and a little looking-the-other-way from the judges kept him on his horses. He was a perfect example of joy during the races.
I tried to capture Gareth's happiness with my camera phone but it didn't work. Gareth is falling off of Nephi Meono and Gareth's father is in the background. However, this picture reminds me of the why I continue to be involved with these boys and have a great time doing it - they are all part of my life and it is a very happy part.
Thank you Gareth for helping me live fully and to have joy in my life. Thank you Zachary, Brennan, Allen, Jaden, Nephi, Rory, Isaac, Ryan, Matt, Jordan S. (small), Tyler, Max, Mitch, Morgan, Jordan T. (big), and Connor for being part of my life and making it richer. What a privilege it is to be able to share it with all of you.
Twilight Years
Kathryn showed me this tonight, I was laughing out loud -
Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.
Live
Live.
Live like it was your last physical day with your loved ones for a long time. Like life will run out soon. Drop the phone, drop the online games, drop the excuses. Just do it. On my mission I had a Bo Jackson Nike ad with the 'Just Do It' and a list of different things - wish I could find that for my kids.
Loved this video, saw it on a blog entry at Tim Ferriss's blog, check it out.
Kathryn still wishes I could dance like that - she encourages me not to dance anymore, especially in public.
Tragic Comedy at Sea
Kathryn and I used to watch the show, "Whale Wars" on Animal Planet about this group of tree hugger/conservationists who wanted to stop the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic. Not because we are committed polar bear lovers/greenies ourselves but the comedic value of the show was so high. I don't think it was intended that way though as we watched these committed enviromentalists attempt to stop these ships from harvesting whales. Often their efforts were in vain and sophmoric at best. We admire them for their dedication to their cause but believe that their approach is wrong, often resulting in violence and endangering the lives of both parties.
Now it has nearly turned deadly for both crews per this story on Fox.
Listen, I understand the zeal to try and prevent the killing of whales - I am neither an advocate or consumer of whale products but I am not against regulated harvesting of the animals if it is restricted to ensure that a population of animals does not falter and die away. But this is insane, both sides need to show some restraint.
It is all fun and games until somebody loses an eye, or a life, in this case. This isn't a video game that you can push the reset button. After viewing many episodes of the show last year I wholeheartedly agree that Paul Watson and his crew are most likely at fault with their numerous acts of vandalism and obstruction. Their has to be a better way to achieve their end purpose - a stop or limitation on whaling in Antarctica.
