Categories
motivation

Is Dignity Overrated?

Cartoon of a boy in an eagle costume. He says to a girl, "I agreed to be the school mascot if they would pay for my dignity insurance."

Both, my high school and the university I attended have birds for mascots; The Blackhawks, and The Ravens. There were times when I thought it would have been neat to be the person behind the mascot. Then again, being a big bird would have been challenging for anyone’s dignity. Sesame Street’s Big Bird probably didn’t help in the dignity area.

Dignity insurance would be a great thing to have. I could have used that a few times in my life. It probably would have come in handy just the other day. However, I’ve noticed dignity can get in the way of doing something worthwhile and fun. Dignity and pride can keep us from valuing ourselves and our fragile egos over others.

Don’t worry too much about your dignity. Focus more on doing something of value for others and being humane and considerate. Dignity is overrated if it keeps you from doing just that.

Cartoon of a boy in an eagle costume. He says to a girl, "I agreed to be the school mascot if they would pay for my dignity insurance."
Categories
K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine motivation

Books and Batteries

Cartoon of a teacher and a boy with an electronic tablet. The boy panics and says, "Help! My Bible's batteries ran down!"
Published in "K!: Kidzmatter Magazine"

The first time a student brought their tablet into the Sunday school classroom was quite a sight. The child claimed it was her Bible. But for some reason, all the kids gathered around her and they weren’t asking to see her Bible. They were interested in what games were on her tablet. It took some time to get the class back into some semblance of organization.

Since the schools are all closed right now, I imagine the tablets and smartphones are getting quite a workout. I’m sure there are some times when a crisis may emerge because a device’s batteries are running on empty. Keep calm and find a charger! It will be all right eventually.

Find some time to recharge your devices as well as yourself this week. Step away from the laptops, tablets, smartphones, and televisions for a few minutes, if not hours. You’ll be glad to get some time to step away from the news and let yourself have a break from it all.

Cartoon of a teacher and a boy with an electronic tablet. The boy panics and says, "Help! My Bible's batteries ran down!"
Published in “K!: Kidzmatter Magazine”
Categories
love motivation

Find Some Ways to Spread Some Love

Cartoon of a girl and boy. The girl has notes with hearts on them. She says, "I'm trying to spread the love. Sticky notes help me do that."

The girl in today’s cartoon may not be practicing social distancing, but it’s okay. Stickie notes may be a way of spreading love without coming into close proximity to someone. Besides, there will be a time in the near future when she will once again get to spread the love using all the stickie notes she wants in any way she wants.

We are going through some challenging times right now. If you are quarantined at home right now, or if you suddenly find yourself with lots of time because you are out of work, find some ways to send encouragement and love to others. We still have electronic means of doing that. Perhaps, we can start posting encouraging words to combat all the doom and gloom that is going on right now.

Find some ways to help others. We are better when we offer help and encouragement rather than succumb to all the bad news. Find some ways to spread some love. It will lift your spirits, and it will remind you of what is good and really important.

Cartoon of a girl and boy. The girl has notes with hearts on them. She says, "I'm trying to spread the love. Sticky notes help me do that."
Categories
K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine motivation

Use This Opportunity Well

Cartoon of a boy and a baby. The boy lectures the baby: "You are the next generation. Don't squander your opportunity like my generation!"
Previously published in "K! Kidzmatter Magazine."

I really do think that any deep crisis is an opportunity to make your life extraordinary in some way.

Martha Beck

There is no doubt everyone is experiencing some kind of crisis right now.

  • Some people are quarantined in their own homes
  • Others are out of work as they wait to see if these extraordinary measures will work
  • Some have seen their retirement funds evaporate in a stock market roller coaster ride
  • Some have made a run to the store and are wondering what they will do with a six-month supply of toilet paper
  • Some are nervously washing their hands, disinfecting everything and are suspicious of anyone who isn’t doing the same

We have an opportunity through all of this to be an example. This will all blow over eventually. When we come out on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, will we be proud of the way we showed kindness, consideration and courage? or will we be ashamed of the way we regressed a selfish, fearful shell of ourselves? The younger generations are watching us. Make the most of this opportunity to show the best of humanity.

Cartoon of a boy and a baby. The boy lectures the baby: "You are the next generation. Don't squander your opportunity like my generation!"
Previously published in “K! Kidzmatter Magazine.”
Categories
holiday motivation

A Leprechaun Grants a Wish

Cartoon of a boy and a leprechaun. The boy says, "Why couldn't you and your luck show up during testing day?"

I have a strange feeling today that all the mess with the COVID-19 virus is because a child caught a leprechaun and the ornery critter found a way to prevent kids from taking any of the spring standardized tests!

It’s going to be a strange Saint Patrick’s day for 2020. All of us will be staying at home. There will be no green dye dumped into the Chicago River… or maybe it will! It sounds like some prankster made at least part of the tradition happen.

Everything seems like a strange leprechaun dream right now. But it will eventually all pass. Let’s keep doing the hard work to keep this virus from spreading faster than it should. Keep washing your hands and practice social distancing. Stay home tonight. It’s the responsible thing to do.

And if by any chance you catch a leprechaun, bypass the pot of gold and see if they can mitigate some of this COVID-19 mess!

Cartoon of a boy and a leprechaun. The boy says, "Why couldn't you and your luck show up during testing day?"