Towards a Better World

Towards a Better World #48

Thursday 15 September 2022

New post

Assets for the child

Beyond the concerns of adults, children have their own. Those in the world who are lucky enough to go to school do not always see its benefits because of the stress of competition.
It is therefore important to lead each child to set themselves a goal, to steer them towards a “healthy ambition”, and to encourage them to succeed without turning their classmates into opponents. Developing their willpower, a positive attitude towards failure, and their human and relational qualities will help them make the most of their schooling.
To support their physical and moral balance, let us recall the advice given in Le Yoga de la Vie pratique, p. 263, of which here is an extract:

“Give your child healthy and balanced food.

Insist on a normal amount of sleep.

Encourage them to have the courage to admit their wrongs, and to know themselves well in order to improve.

Teach them how to master their emotions, to become masters of themselves.

Train them to relax properly after periods of fatigue. [1]

Make sure they do not overwork.

Insist that they learn to control their tongue and above all to banish malicious gossip.

Nurture their thirst for knowledge.

Give them a love of effort.

Encourage the development of their sense of initiative.

Foster the blossoming of their willpower.

Help them to overcome limiting prejudices.

Give them faith in themselves.

Develop their universalist tendencies. [2]

Set them an example of kindness and nobility of soul. (…)” [3]

The assets given to the child from the start will help them, at their own pace, to succeed in life and to make a success of their life: to build their happiness and to share it.
[1] See post no. 43, “Breathing to calm down”.
[2] See post no. 18, “Educating for respect”.
[3] See post no. 36, “Family life”.

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