Technology or the Ancients

     Every Saturday morning my son goes to learn the game of chess.  He's beginning to understand the basics of the game.  He plays against other players who are also learning.  Its fun for him.

     But away from the Saturday morning ritual is the Wii, Xbox, Playstation, Kindle Fire, iPhones, and any other device that can stimulate the mind. (We don't have all of those, but you understand the point).

Which is better? The Ancients or the now?  Games that began in the 600's or the 2000's? 

I don't know if I have the answers.  I'm sure both have their advantages. Lend me your thoughts...

I am NOS...

Be Ready for Anything

As you may know, I teach. I have seen the peace of a school as well as the chaos.  Today, I saw the chaos! That chaos is called a bomb threat! Yes, you read it correctly.  Let's paint the picture.

I had just taken my very lively 7th grade students downstairs for lunch.  We were having hamburgers. Just as my students got in line, the fire alarm goes off. All the teachers were looking around. Why? Because usually we get a heads up as to when a fire alarm drill is to happen.  Guess what? No alert. We race all the kids out the building as quickly as possible.  The students found it as another drill, but teachers found it as a call for heightened awareness. It's about 40 degrees outside.  The wind is blowing around 20 miles an hour. The air was dry. And all of the students were outside...with no coats...for close to an hour. I felt so bad for them, especially the little ones. We were out so long that we actually had to walk to another school and wait there. At least there was heat and some comfort.

We never would have known what to do if we did not have practice fire drills earlier in the year. Although we were cold, we were prepared.

We live in a world where unfortunately anything can 'pop off' at any time. Do your children know what to do if something were to happen? Do they know where to go? Prepare them by coming up with an escape plan in your house if there's a fire. Prep them with a Metro fare card if they have to take the train home if there's an emergency at school. Give them the tools and wisdom they need to maintain a level head in case of an emergency.  My boys have shown this maturity a couple of times.  I remember a time when my family was in an accident. As they drove in the ambulance, Kai called me on the phone, told me where they were going, and gave me solid details. My anxiety quickly turned to a calm.

Trust me...I still have to do some of these things I write to you now about, but its on the radar.  If you read the Bible, there is a passage that comes to mind.  Matthew 25:1-13 speaks of ladies who had to be prepared for when the bridegroom came. Take a look at it. I just want you and I to be prepared...

I'm NOS...

Loss or Defeat? Lessons from the Pinewood Derby

     It was the night. The night of all nights. It was the night we had anticipated for quite some time. It was the night...of the Pinewood Derby. Our car was ready. It was named the Cool Man Lamborghini. Cars from all over the land (well, the local Cub Scout troop) came to compete. Great designs, fast designs, and some silly designs.

     The track was ready. It looked sleek and very fast tonight. The judges placed the cars on the track and the excitement intensified. Cool Man Lambourgini was the #19 car. Red. Aerodynamic. Ready. The judge yelled, "Ready!" And they were off. The #19 car got off to a fast start. Oh snap! The car in lane one slid off the track! And so we can in 3rd on the first heat. Drivers (Cub Scouts) made adjustments to their cars and we were readied for the 2nd heat. They raced down the track. The smell of tires burning and engine exhaust (work with me here) was everywhere. Yet, we got 4th place. My son's eyes looked disappointed, but we reminded him that there was one more heat left. The top three cars went to the next set of heats. It was all riding on this last heat. Nervousness. Anxiety. Who would win the final heat to go on to the semifinals? The crowed hushed as the judge let the cars go. It was neck and neck for all the cars. We're at the finish line- the #19 car, the Cool Man Lambourghini finished...4th.

     I knew what was coming next.  I looked into my son's eyes. And I saw the disappointment. I knew the tears would come soon. I was very disappointed also. I knew he felt like crying. Shoot, I did too! For three years in a row, we didn't place to the second round. We put out some good cars. We had the #29 car, Jet Blue last year which did okay. But we were putting some promise on the #19.
     Interviews were going, dads talking about the designs of their...their son's cars.  Yet, I found my son in the hallway...dejected. The derby was still going, but he was done. I took him into a private room, he knelt down on my leg, and the silent tears...began...flowing. I didn't say a word.  I couldn't say a word. I just let him cry. No whaling, just silent tears.

Man...

     I started with some (what I thought) would be encouraging words. That didn't work. "Son, do you know how many times Thomas Edison had tried to get the lightbulb to work?"

"No.", he said.

"Guess", I said.

The guesses went from 10 to 36,000.  I said it was about a hundred before he got it right. I had to speak to his language- he loves technology and science. Know your kid.
     The point was I had to convince him that this was a loss, not a defeat. A defeat is when you're done and it can't be changed. A loss is a lesson that is used...for next time. The Nationals had a losing record two years ago. It was bad. No, for real!  They made changes in the offseason, picked up some players, and then next year were in the playoffs. A loss turned lesson. Your defeated when you can't and won't get up when you lose.  In the Bible, Peter had a big mouth that often got him in trouble, but he  learned how to use that mouth...and now there is a church. Lesson learned.
     I had to remind my son that this was another lesson to use and remember for the next time Pinewood Derby comes around. We prayed and I sent him back out to cheer on his peers.

That one was tough, but needed.  I'm sure it may come up again, if not in him then my oldest.  For that matter, it may be me.

How do you teach your children about a loss and defeat? In your opinion, is there a difference? Would love your thoughts. Besides, I have NOS...

BTW, next year's car will be a winner, as in line with prophesy of Richard Petty!