A Lesson on Criticism!

The most encouraging? funny? cute? thing just happened!

Peter and I have been reading The Power of Less, by Leo Babauta, together. It's a good book.

One of Babauta's challenges is to form a new habit over a one month period. The author gives some useful tips:

• Choose only one habit at a time.
• Make the goal simple, so that it is doable.
• Have a trigger for it - i.e. do it at the same time every day, after something else that you already do every day, such as brushing your teeth.
• Do it every day for 30 days.

We each chose a habit to form for the month of June. Peter and I chose to exercise, as we need more consistency in that area. Our 20 year old daughter chose her own goal. Ben (10) chose to practice his guitar. Faith (9) chose to write (she loves to write).

Tonight I got home quite late from a meeting. The kids decided to do their goals, even though it was late.

Ben went off to practice his guitar. Faith chose to read her work in progress to her sister. She argued that was practicing her habit, because, "That's part of the production, because you get criticism. Getting criticism is part of the production! I read it to Ben, and he gave me criticism."

I'm sitting here trying to figure out where she learned that! I am part of an evaluation team that gives feedback on programs and messages at church. Does she even know I do that? Maybe not. Did she learn it at school?

I don't have a clue, but I am encouraged... she is learning a skill which some of us never master. It's two-fold: to collaborate with others so that your gift can be maximized, and to slow your spirit down to assess and listen.

My children really are my teachers.

What lessons are you learning from the children in your life? We'd love to hear!