Last year my son went on a trip with his school. It was across the country, to Washington, D.C. and New York City...without his parents. He was 12-years-old at the time and the trip cost him $2,000. We didn't pay for his trip. He earned it--as in, he worked for it. He mowed what must have felt like 5 million lawns to earn enough money to go, but he did it. He even came home and told us it was amazing and awesome and it was worth it (his words, not mine, and not solicited). So I was a bit surprised when I found out he hadn't even told me about the meeting for the next trip scheduled for next year.
At first he tried to reason his way out of it by telling me it was a more science based trip and he is more of a history guy. Okay...true, but it's still going to be an amazing trip to the Florida Keys. (I want to go!) Then it was the,"I don't know," routine that usually means, "I'm not really ready to say yet, Mom." So I dropped it again, but in true woman fashion, I couldn't leave it alone.
Turns out my little man is a future looking little dude, after all. He has started saving again (actually, he doesn't spend much because he's such a good saver)...for a car. The discussion from last week went something along the lines of this:
Me: You know, buddy, if you don't pick up the pace on saving for your car, you'll be driving mommy's blue minivan.
Him: Um, no. I'll ride my bike.
Me: So you'll have your driver's license, but you'll still ride around town on your bike?
Him: Yep.
Laugh out loud! I believe he'd do it, too. Here's the thing: he got stuck in a box in his head. He got to thinking that he couldn't go on the trip because he needs to save money for his car. We didn't tell him that, but that's where his mind went. He forgot that as an 11 to 12-year-old kid, he had already broken the barrier of normal. He had forgotten that he had already done something extraordinary. He didn't need to say no to the trip so he could say yes to the car. He needed to find a different way to make money.
We're still working it out, and I'm sure I'll let you know how it goes. But I want to remind you to look back at something you've succeeded at. Maybe it's been a while ago, and maybe it was last week. It doesn't even have to be anything big, but your next success builds on your last one. Maybe this is the first time. Remember it, then move forward again.
Make it a beautiful day, friends.
Share this post if it was helpful to you. Then jump up to the subscribe box and enter your email to have each post delivered hot off the presses to your inbox (I currently post twice a week). You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@JensWallsTalk). See you there!
 |
| Get your "I think I can" expression here |
Turns out my little man is a future looking little dude, after all. He has started saving again (actually, he doesn't spend much because he's such a good saver)...for a car. The discussion from last week went something along the lines of this:
Me: You know, buddy, if you don't pick up the pace on saving for your car, you'll be driving mommy's blue minivan.
Him: Um, no. I'll ride my bike.
Me: So you'll have your driver's license, but you'll still ride around town on your bike?
Him: Yep.
Laugh out loud! I believe he'd do it, too. Here's the thing: he got stuck in a box in his head. He got to thinking that he couldn't go on the trip because he needs to save money for his car. We didn't tell him that, but that's where his mind went. He forgot that as an 11 to 12-year-old kid, he had already broken the barrier of normal. He had forgotten that he had already done something extraordinary. He didn't need to say no to the trip so he could say yes to the car. He needed to find a different way to make money.
We're still working it out, and I'm sure I'll let you know how it goes. But I want to remind you to look back at something you've succeeded at. Maybe it's been a while ago, and maybe it was last week. It doesn't even have to be anything big, but your next success builds on your last one. Maybe this is the first time. Remember it, then move forward again.
Make it a beautiful day, friends.
Share this post if it was helpful to you. Then jump up to the subscribe box and enter your email to have each post delivered hot off the presses to your inbox (I currently post twice a week). You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@JensWallsTalk). See you there!
No comments:
Post a Comment