Problem: Four boxing gloves, three kids.
Funny how kids are attracted to boxing gloves. We had a big problem. Only two pairs of gloves and three kids, and nobody wants to sit out, because it’s boring. We immediately went to work putting on our thinking caps. Bingo! I put on one pair and the other two kids (my brother Joe and one of my best childhood friends, Mike) put on one glove each. I had to run between them as they tried to hit me, all the while throwing punches in return. We played this game for hours, laughing, pummelling each other, trying to avoid the furniture, and screaming the whole time like wild animals. I think back on these times fondly, even though I think I lost most of the exchanges. My poor parents. Secretly I think they were happy though, because it kept us occupied and out of trouble for a long time.
We figured out how to walk like ducks, mimicking their quacks, and then used it in real life—to make fun of our poor sister, Kim. Looking back on it, we laugh, even Kim.
We spent hours building tracks in the dirt and then flew around them on our sting ray bikes, sliding into the turns, jumping over the humps; inevitably crashing, necessitating a crying session in mom’s arms for pity.
If you watch kids long enough, you’ll see how they use their creativity to solve their biggest problem—how to have fun. When it comes to play, when there is a will, there is a way. We adults can learn a thing or two from them.
God,
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to
change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference
“using no way as a way, using no limitations as a limitation.”
This is so true, isn’t it? I’m amazed everyday by what my kids teach me
Hello Hear Mum Roar! Yes, there is wisdom in their years, or lack thereof.
It so amazing how children can do so much with little and then make it fun. Sometimes, we adults need to take a look at our attitudes and take a few lessons from kids. We don’t need to have everything in order to have fun, it’s learning to have fun with what we have. Great insight, Sensei Matt!
Hi Elmer. Yes, it’s that lack of seriousness that we sometimes need to get back to in our lives. Am re-learning how to draw during the holidays. I am like a kid in a candy store with it, after playing around with Chinese calligraphy a few years back. But I find myself judging my creations, like an adult, where a kid would say, oh well, enough of this, let’s go play! Thanks for visiting us.
Watch That Candy Sensei It We Bite You in The Rear ! LOL 🙂
Who is Candy, Shandor and how do I meet her? LOL.
🙂 LOL LOL!
Thought For 2011
“Only the student speaks about knowing as where a Master does without speaking!”
Very true Shandor. Thanks for your insights.
And wait there is more:
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Excellent solution. Instead of having them just sit and wait, there’s always a way to make them work and get involved.
Welcome Dojo, and thanks. Kids hate to wait, especially when other kids are playing and having fun.