Everyone, take 3 minutes and watch this video.
http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/wp-content/themes/animal_school.swf
And remember that the key as always is in application. This is mainly about wordly education but the application jump is easy to the Gospel, Church, etc… We are all children of God afterall. I was going to embed it, but that costs $49!!! for such a short video… Enjoy
well said.
to be sure, as a parent, it is hard at times to not to a brush-like approach (i.e. same responses regardless), because it is much easier. It is fun to see the creativity in kids, their innate (and boy are they innate) differences. To see the different ways they act, talk, play and enjoy life.
I’ve actually been thinking a bit about this topic – that of institutionalizing conformity. we all, at some time or another, seek to establish conformity (at least I have in my own small realm of responsibility). Even though I know the importance of uniqueness, there are times where it creates friction.
I think I need to – at an obviously personal level – seek out the uniqueness in adults, and not just my children. Too often, I fear, I want and am drawn to adults who act and talk like me, or with whom I have lots in common while tending to drift away from those who present themselves as opposites (at least from my vantage point).
I was actually reading an article today where some were decrying the use of “unique” children’s names in today’s society, stating that it’ll likely bring out a lot more narcissism and a generation of entitlement.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100224/sc_livescience/parentschoosingmoreunusualbabynamesnow
hah, thats a funny article in its ridiculousness.
I agree that finding cliques that you fit into, seeking comfort in comfortable situations, largely just brings stagnation. UNLESS you find groups with common interests who challenge you as a whole. that in itself is a similarity yet would not bring plateaus as readily, rather growth.
In other words, if we are living the gospel as liberally and one eyed as the Lord would have us live, we would challenge and support each others uniqueness at the same time that we affirm our oneness.
Thanks for the thoughts TOM.