"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something: and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." - Helen Keller
Here I thought that I was onto something new. I've been working with my children - organizing our own personal academy designed to build their characters and prepare them to fulfill personal missions - I called it 'mission-based education'. Today, I thought to google 'mission-based education' and see what might come up and I was absolutely thrilled to discover the amazing resources on the matter. I stumbled upon what is called 'Character Education'. Hello!
Just let me list 3 really awesome sites I have been hungrily skimming:
What can be said about all this? Well, there is a sway in the educating of our children - a returning to teachings of morals & values. This type of education goes beyond 'how to deal with bullies' or 'how to communicate effectively' - although that is part of it. Character Education is about developing our strengths to overcome our weaknesses. It's about changing the world around us. It's about living with purpose. It's about utilizing our talents for the good of mankind.
This to me is powerful stuff and I feel it is the foundation of any Leadership education. I am particularly interested in 'service-learning' - I'm in the processes of studying the concept but check it out - learning through community service sounds like a wonderful way to learn.
This morning I was reading past posts from Redneck Liber about the 7 (plus a few she's added) missions one might choose from in order to do good in the world around us. The theory is that we each have one particular mission we are drawn to (from this list). We were born to serve in this mission and it's up to us to figure out just what it is we are to do.
From a spiritual perspective, Jesus Christ commanded us to do them all. As I ponder this list I see how focusing on one mission intertwines us with the rest. Another way of putting it - by focusing on one mission we help prepare the way to fulfill all the missions. Give it some thought.
Feed the Hungry
Heal the Sick
Comfort the lonely
Create Beauty
Spread Truth
Liberate the Captive
Educate the Unlearned
Protect the Innocent (one Redneck Liber added)
For example if I felt particularly drawn to say, 'Educate the Unlearned' and focused my talents on fulfilling this mission say by teaching children in poverty stricken areas of India, can you see how I would be paving a road to each of the other missions?! Incredible thought.
It is such an in depth discussion with numerous avenues of approach. There are so many ways to look at each mission. For example, how can one 'comfort the lonely'? Well, there are many types of lonely people; 'the widow and fatherless' or the 'aged and shut in'. What about the 'haggard housewife' or the 'new kid in school', there is the 'misunderstood' or those 'in prison'. Do you see the many avenues? Do you see how long this entry could be?!
So, I am gathering and pondering on the subject. There are two books that come to mind. One that our family is reading together - it's a children's book written by Sean Covey titled The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. The second I have yet to read - Now, Discover your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham.
If you so feel inclined to read them please come on over for a 'spot of tea' and let's talk about 'hundreds of character building things'.