Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Family of Artists, by Jasper
My dad and mom and me are artists. My brother Dash is too little, but maybe he will be an artist someday too.
My dad is coming to my classroom to help us make a movie. It is called an animation.
My dad will use a camera to make the movie and then when it is done we will show it to everybody.
I like being an artist, but I also like surfing and would like to surf on a big wave in California when I get bigger.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Parents as Benevolent Dictators
Benevolent dictators like to think that they are a gift of god. They have one interest, and that is to give people what they want and/or need. I guess it must really be "want" because otherwise they wouldn't be seen so "benevolent."
I heard about a parent today who gave and gave and gave. He held the purse strings, barely gave to himself, but gave generously to his children and even his ex-wife.
I remembered how when our kids were in high school (college?) we gave them a credit card and told them that this was the family money and they had to spend wisely. We were fully open with them about our finances and they were responsible to see that the family didn't overspend.
At lunch today we were talking about this and I said that the benevolent dictator gives everything but what is most valuable. One of us said "freedom." My wife said "autonomy."
Then I started thinking about the Buddhist story of the squashes who fought with each other so the monk had them meditate (a little far fetched?)... and then he told them to touch the top of their head to see where their spine starts. They did and realized they were all connected to each other.
I'm not sure how autonomy and being connected work together. Some one will have to help me with that one. Maybe it is in the meaning of the Buddhist saying "not one, not two."
In any case, if you are a parent (and we all are in some walk of our lives), try to see whether you can shift your family operation to become a democracy. Disclose your assets and let the family decide how the resources might be expended (and/or saved). Not only will this help your kids grow up, but they will have something to show their friends much cooler than the latest iphone.
I heard about a parent today who gave and gave and gave. He held the purse strings, barely gave to himself, but gave generously to his children and even his ex-wife.
I remembered how when our kids were in high school (college?) we gave them a credit card and told them that this was the family money and they had to spend wisely. We were fully open with them about our finances and they were responsible to see that the family didn't overspend.
At lunch today we were talking about this and I said that the benevolent dictator gives everything but what is most valuable. One of us said "freedom." My wife said "autonomy."
Then I started thinking about the Buddhist story of the squashes who fought with each other so the monk had them meditate (a little far fetched?)... and then he told them to touch the top of their head to see where their spine starts. They did and realized they were all connected to each other.
I'm not sure how autonomy and being connected work together. Some one will have to help me with that one. Maybe it is in the meaning of the Buddhist saying "not one, not two."
In any case, if you are a parent (and we all are in some walk of our lives), try to see whether you can shift your family operation to become a democracy. Disclose your assets and let the family decide how the resources might be expended (and/or saved). Not only will this help your kids grow up, but they will have something to show their friends much cooler than the latest iphone.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tomorrow might be Doomsday
Our head teacher at the Buddhist temple made a scroll for our weekend sit. It said, "everything changes, everything is connected, pay attention, and beginner's mind."
One of the priests is taking a math course and is wondering how he'll ever use what he is learning.
R has a recurring visit of breast cancer and she is angry at it.
I see the doctor tomorrow about the supposed cyst or whatever in my chest.
People open their hearts and the anger dissolves in its tracks.
My sister and I were wondering how all these coincidental occurrences happen to put us on this planet. I lied and told her I didn't believe in god when she asked. I would have lied if I told her I did. With as much mystery as there is, how can one know (anything)?
I thought again yesterday about the young magician in the park who said, "is this your card" only to discover that it was not.
I'm not sure who titled this post. I don't remember writing that... though I must have... just a few minutes ago.
Time to eat fruit. Fruits and vegetables are delicious.
Lots of passion about Walmart.
My arms are sore from swimming today... first time in a couple of years. It was wet.
One of the priests is taking a math course and is wondering how he'll ever use what he is learning.
R has a recurring visit of breast cancer and she is angry at it.
I see the doctor tomorrow about the supposed cyst or whatever in my chest.
People open their hearts and the anger dissolves in its tracks.
My sister and I were wondering how all these coincidental occurrences happen to put us on this planet. I lied and told her I didn't believe in god when she asked. I would have lied if I told her I did. With as much mystery as there is, how can one know (anything)?
I thought again yesterday about the young magician in the park who said, "is this your card" only to discover that it was not.
I'm not sure who titled this post. I don't remember writing that... though I must have... just a few minutes ago.
Time to eat fruit. Fruits and vegetables are delicious.
Lots of passion about Walmart.
My arms are sore from swimming today... first time in a couple of years. It was wet.
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