by Margaret Evans, Director of Lifespan Learning
Our Children — The Call
With the internet at their fingertips, our children are surrounded by a mediated world more intimately than they ever have been. They see images that challenge them, both positively and negatively, in worlds of which some of us could never dream. These images can unconsciously eat away at their self-esteem. In response we are called, as their community, to act, speak and listen with voices of love and support.
Here are some suggested quality activities to expose them to supportive love:
- Spend some time with the trees. Many noteworthy people (Buddha and Isaac Newton) have discovered their calling sitting underneath trees. They are great places to spend time and breathe fresh air, and (some studies show) they help calm us down.
- How do we help kids find their directions? A great book to read on this topic is A Path to Purpose: Helping our Children to Find their Calling in Life by William Damon.
- Let’s work together to start a community buddy program. Over the next month I will be working on creating and implementing a buddy program at Neighbourhood in which a youth or child is paired with a non-family adult to create deeper community bonds.
This month our theme is based on the call. Part of our ministry at Neighbourhood is to walk with others as they seek to find their meaning and purpose in life. In parenting and communal support for young people it is somewhat challenging to know the right thing to say or do. Let us draw closer together and support one another as we learn how to help another find their purpose.