What if Goals Don’t Matter?

Oct 132009
 

Many of the workshops I teach are about setting goals and taking action to reach them.  Short articles don’t reflect one important discussion that often takes place in those workshops:  “what if our goals don’t matter?”

Now before you click off of the page, this is not as depressing as it first sounds.

The idea came from a long ago conversation with my friend Penny.  We were at a conference and had just attended a workshop that featured some very aggressive goal-setting and achievement techniques that didn’t really fit for either of us.  Busy Moms with demanding jobs and lots of interests, we wondered why we had both been so turned off by the speaker.

We were left with a similar question.  What if our goals don’t matter?

I suspect it’s a question a lot of people struggle with and we had a great discussion.  While there are certain things that are vital to achieve there are others that would just be nice.  Extras.  Dreams.  Fantasies. 

She and I were both struggling with the idea that, while we both like moving forward in accomplishment and believe that we have the ability to make at least some of our dreams come true, it is not always necessary.  We both had (and continue to have) wonderful lives and are very, very grateful for that.  And that is what made the new goals ‘not matter’ – the fact that life is full and wonderful the way it is.

I think that this is a vital step that may be missing from some of the ‘success teachings.’  We don’t have to be dissatisfied to set goals.  In fact, being grateful for what we already have is an important first step.  Full acknowledgement, gratitude and enjoyment of what we already have helps us to build on strengths.   It connects us with our strong foundation as we build an even better future.

Kids Helping Kids with Nothing

Oct 062009
 
English: A group of drummers in Accra, Ghana, ...

Drummers in Accra, Ghana, wearing dashiki shirts and knitted kufi caps. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sometimes it is difficult to become aware of difficulties that others face without becoming overwhelmed.  Some people feel hopeless and helpless while others choose to take action.

Action requires focus and purpose.  It takes discipline, hard work, motivation to give and the ability to keep going when there’s no easy answer. It takes the Four Foundations and it takes heart.

When kids’ hearts lead the way there’s no limit to what they can do.  Take a look at what this ten-year-old and his friends accomplished to help others in Ghana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpa9Z7NFUZo

But if you think that’s impressive,  Tyler and his Mom started an organization that helps kids to focus on issues they care about and take action to help.

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RHYME TIME

Oct 022009
 

 by Esther Jantzen, guest poster

Kids and adults love rhyming words. Rhymes are in songs, in raps, in poems, in ads, in jump-rope games, and just about everywhere. This activity can be done any time, anywhere, and especially when you’re in a silly mood! It helps children learn that it is fun any time to play with words, sounds, and rhythms. It develops their attentiveness and their ability to hear sounds. It develops their vocabulary. Here are some ways to do this:

1) Think of a simple sentence that you say to your children frequently. Then make up a rhyme to match it. For example, with “It’s time to go to bed!” add, “So lay down your pretty head!” Or with “Sit down and eat your dinner,” add, “We don’t want you any thinner!” OR

 2) Think of a word or a simple statement such as, “I saw a puppy dog.” Then ask your child to tell you a word that rhymes with dog and like log, hog, fog, frog, bog. See how many you and your child can come up with. (For older children, try picking words that are more unusual.)

Then see if you and your child can put these words together in an easy little poem with several rhyming words. For example, “I saw a dog who sat on a log. He sniffed at a frog and then jumped in the bog.” If your child offers a nonsense word, that’s just fine. See who can come up with the silliest lines. Go for giggles here and for the fun of sounds. OR

3) Try for a question rhyme: Did you ever try to tickle a pickle? Did you ever try to hug a bug? Did you ever try to eat your feet? You might want to give a reward, like staying up an extra 20 minutes to read, for the special question rhymes. If you come up with rhymes or poems you like, write them down and save them.  That way you’ll get to enjoy them again.

 

Esther Jantzen, Ed.D, is a mother, an educator and the author of Plus It! How to Easily Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Adventures for Kids available at www.plusitbook.com and the Way to Go! Family Learning Journal available through www.jantzenbooks.com

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