In school, I have to admit, I wasn’t the best student. I struggled with boredom, frustration, being constantly compared to my much stronger siblings- both in the academic and sports world. My grades were fair, and for the most part, I understood the material, but only after spending hours upon hours struggling to make sense of things. I was I didn’t really fit in anywhere. Sure, I have a few friends, here and there, but on the most part, I was one of those kids who was much more comfortable by myself, and left to my own devices. It was just easier that way.
The one thing I did have, and the one thing that I cherished more than most things was the time I spent exploring the outdoors. Out in the woods, I didn’t sense the judgement and pressure that came from the school. By the lake, I didn’t have to be compared to, or compete with my fellow students. There was no worry about who had the best score on the last test, or who ran the fastest quarter mile in gym class. It was relaxed, and frankly, it was an escape.
Because of my experience, I firmly believe that everyone needs an “escape”, especially students and kids. They need something that they can call their own, that they can do, or go to where they won’t have to worry about being judged, being competed with, or having to make a success of it in life. People need a sanctuary of sorts, something that they can look at and say “yep- that’s mine. That’s where I can go and be who I am, not what the culture/society/parents/other kids think I should be.”
Do you have such an escape or sanctuary? Do your kids? Or are you constantly in the rat race, running around, trying to compare yourself to others? Are you or your kids learning to live up to the ideals of society on a constant 24-hour basis, or do you carve out a place, time or activity where mistakes are not only allowed, but encouraged? Do your children allow themselves to fall down and scrape their knee, or are they too scared to, because they’re afraid that Johnny will beat them to first place?
Remember, there is so much more to life than just winning and competing. There is also living it as well.