What’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever heard someone say?

3.  What’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever heard someone say?

Good question!

Whatever we do for our children, they will never learn to do for themselves.

I am sure there are many other things I could choose, but at this point in my life, I'm choosing this one.  It's true.  How are kids supposed to learn other than by doing? I once had a student in 5th grade who could not tie his shoes, button buttons, zip zippers, etc.  There really wasn't any physical reason he couldn't do these things, but his mother always did it for him and never encouraged him to learn how to do it.  Can you imagine?  He came to school in elastic waisted pants or shorts and velcro shoes. I sometimes wonder what has happened to that student.  What was his mother thinking??

I try and always let my children do things for themselves.  Of course I will help and guide them when they need it.  Giving them opportunities to succeed  gives them confidence.  Sometimes they fail, but they usually try again and figure out how to succeed.  I also love that they are interested in doing things themselves.  Katie has decided she really wants to be able to cook a meal for the family.  I'm glad she feels confident enough to do it. She's made a few simple things on her own such as corn bread and pancakes, but soon I will let her plan and cook the meal.  Of course, I will be right there to guide her along.

What about you?  What is the most sensible thing you've heard someone say?

Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

2.  Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

There are a ton of people I compare myself to for different reasons. 

First, I compare my self to my mom. I often wonder how she was able to be so calm with us kids all of the time.  What did she do when she was a stay at home mom? Am I showing my own children the same kind of love that she showed us? I compare myself to her is good ways too.  I tend to notice the differences between our lives and things how things are done.  For example, I prepare meals in a completely different way than she did, but still serve a few of the same dishes that she did. She didn't have nearly as many outside the home activities as I do.  Was she satisfied?  There are so many times I wish I could talk to her about her life when she was my age. I guess I find it intersting to think about how we are alike and how we are different.

I often find myself comparing my accomplishments with newsmakers.  I'm always impressed when someone my age or younger has made great contributions to the world or has become very successful in their career. It's not that it makes me feel bad about myself, I just find myself taking some time to contemplate my own successes.  I usually end up thinking about my greatest successes, Katie & Alex. Although it does make me wonder what I could accomplish if I put my mind to it!

I also compare myself to my friends.  I have thought about how our families are different, our life styles, and interests, accomplishments and marriages.  I have learned so many things from the people in my life and been inspired to change in little ways.

Food for thought!

Trying something new!

Really?  It's been since November that I've shared any thoughts?  I love reading everybody else's blogs, but I have a hard time motivating myself to write about anything. I guess it's because there aren't any really exciting things to post about. 

So, I found a great sight that lists all kinds of thought provoking questions.  I also found a list of 356 thought provoking questions. http://thoughtquestions.com/  I think that's a good place to start. I need to be more contemplative in my life.  Feel free to join along with me as I attempt to answer a question a day (or let's be honest, maybe a question a week!)

1. When was the last time you tried something new?

Hmm..   In the past few years of adulthood, I've tried quite a few new things.  I've tried a ton of new foods and found quite a few new favorites. I've tried new genres of books and found some books I really liked that I would not have chosen on my own. I can't think of any new experience that I've tried recently, other than new recipes which I try very often.  I guess the newest thing to me was trying Indian Food at an Indian Restaurant.  Thanks, bookclub!

Who has a suggestion for something new I can try? I'd love to hear your thoughts.  What have you tried lately?