What have you done?
Jan 27th, 2009 by lapazfarm
What have you done lately to satisfy your curiosity?
To feed your passions?
To express your creativity?
To put your skills to the test?
We ask this of our children, but what about ourselves?
Are we living the lifestyles we want for our children?
And if not, then what are we telling them with our example?
Any thoughts?
I’m still thinking on this.
I’m winterizing. (Winter Projects, not the slumber/dream/write/think that long winter days inspire.)
Reading alot.
Inspiring the babes.
I’ll consider it some more.
Ow! You’re stepping on my toes! Good post – food for thought.
Well, now that I think about it, I guess I started an Etsy shop.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the importance of modeling, particularly how much more likely my 5yo is to join me in a project if I start on my own or with her little sister rather than simply asking her to make something with me. I’ve started making my own bread to feed my passion for baking and develop new skills. I’m relearning how to knit and I’ve got a book on crochet ready to refresh me on that skill and teach me new stitches. I’m also looking things up when I don’t know the answer to something I’m curious about. I’m considering new ways to include nature study in our lives.
I’m bumming because I typed this once and then deleted it by accident. But here goes again:
For me:
satisfy my curiosity — reading and researching watercolor techniques (my new passion)
feed my passions — paint ( my new passion), teach swimming and homeschooling seminars (teaching is my stand-by passion)
express my creativity — painting, writing, blogging
put my skills to the test — need to figure out how to do this
As for the more important questions:
Are we living the lifestyles we want for our children? Yes and No. I want my children to be kind, compassionate, tolerant human beings. I think my husband and I model this pretty well but one can always improve. I want my children to be intellectually curious. Again, I think we model this well. I also want my children to choose their own path free from societal expectations and prejudices. Here’s where we sometimes fall short as we sometimes find ourselves judging ourselves by someone else’s standard rather than our own.
We have work to do! Thanks for the reminder!
And if not, then what are we telling them with our example?
I couldn’t agree more!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while. You have inspired me SO much. Your blog is probably my favorite.
satisfy my curiosity – reading, birdwatching
feed my passions – haven’t done enough of this lately. time to work on that
express my creativity – blogging, making montessori materials for the kids. I’d really like to start painting or drawing – just tough to fit the fun things in with all the little ones around.
put my skills to the test – hmm…making supper always feels like an experiment…
Thank you for your wonderful blog!
Always good questions.
Reading, leathercarving, singing in a choir, learning to knit ….
Great questions!
It is a pet peeve of mine to listen to parents saying, “My kids won’t practice the piano” or “They want to quit lessons” when nothing in the parents’ lives demonstrates a particular value for music. I want to say, “If you don’t value it, why should they!”
I wish I were a better example of having fun and playing, but I feel good that my kids get to watch my husband and I pursuing our interests, and taking on responsibilities for our larger community.
So good to revisit this question often!
Ooohh, ….hmmm…..you totally caught me off-guard with this question. I was COMPLETELY thinking about my boys when reading each line, until I got to the end.
Thank you for giving me A LOT to think about!