Weekend Reflection

May not be applicable to us, but worth reflecting especially when we meet parents who are under the spell of 'modernity'.

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The paradox of our time in history:

We have taller buildings butshorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, buthave less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smallerfamilies, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems,more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make aliving, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We'vebeen all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods, and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one nightstands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter toyou, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave yourside. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Tearjerker

Some call this video 'life changing'. See for yourself - and judge...

Underpin

Sharing with you our parenting basis. On hindsight, these are the principles and truths that we apply on a daily basis to raise ours. Comments are most welcome.

1. Scriptural Basis: Proverbs 22:6 says " Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Amen!  

2. Civility Basis/Code of Conduct: Recommend George Washington's "Rules of Civility". This is a set of 100+ maxims he copied by hand, word for word, as a 16 yr old lad from the book "Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation". Hence, all throughout his military campaigns, diplomatic ventures and presidential politics, he demonstrated the civility, bearing and manners befitting a leader. And most of the rules are concerned with details of etiquette, offering pointers on such issues as how to dress, walk, eat in public and address one's superiors. The rules likewise address moral issues, but they address them indirectly," according to one writer. They seek to form the inner man by chiseling the outer. I think this is a great supplement to scripture.  

3. Historical Basis: lets face it, the way our parents treated us when we ourselves were young shaped our way of thinking, filter and view of the world. We are what we are now largely in part because of how our parents corrected, rebuked and disciplined us. It is the same set of invisible voices and pattens we consciously or unconsciously conduct ourselves in front of our kids. Of course, one could argue that he/she is not treated well by his/her parents. And therefore his/her way of 'disciplining' the kids are the same. To end, I have this inner belief that people who are relatively 'successful' as adults would probably have relatively 'successful' parents. The "success" word used here is in the context of developing effective and efficient working habits, exercising values and principles, learned from generations past.

Thoughts?

Unang Hirit

This is it! Welcome to the WINSQ YOUTH parents Blogsite...A site where we can share our learning together of the art, joy and challenges of parenting.