Do as I Say, Not as I Do

A friend of mine was asked the following question by his daughter recently….

“Daddy, why do grown ups tell kids to be nice to each other, when they (grown ups) are not nice to each another?”

There’s a couple things going on in this question:

1. The child (and I’m not sure how old the child is), is perceptive enough to know that grown-ups say one thing, but often do something completely different.

2. Consequently, the child also recognizes that there’s a problem when a person’s behavior doesn’t match up with their words…Hence the question, “Why?” 

She didn’t ask, “Why are grown-ups mean to other?”  Rather, she clearly wants to know why grown-ups don’t practice what they preach.

I have a friend who would often say, “Your actions speak so loudly, I can’t hear a word you say.” 

Let me ask you something…Do you practice what you preach?  Are your actions consistent with your words?

Meet Ashti

The new year is quickly approaching.  Out with the old…In with the new.  And I’ve got something new that I think you’ll enjoy: a new book by my dear wife, Carmen, entitled Meet Ashti.  Check out the summary… 

Meet Ashti, the pudgy, curly head 9 year old who is fun, imaginative, creative, and energetic. Her mother is the color of coffee and Dad is like the coffee after the milk is added.  She adores her sister Asaada who is the color of the sun.   Ashti’s life adventures are for boys and girls ages 5-11 years old.  Although everyone will enjoy it, there is a special emphasis on children of color (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, bi-racial, etc.) 

Many of her stories are based on family, dreaming, love, traditions, identity, music and so much more.   

Her author, Carmen Rubin is a graduate of Rutgers University and has been writing memoirs of her own life since she can remember.  She has fond memories of working with and teaching children.  One of Carmen’s favorite past times is to read to children, so she has gleaned from the lives of loved ones and those she has met along her journey of life, to bring life to her new character Ashti (whose name is a combination of her two daughter’s name…and spirits, and ironically, signifies a creative, original, friendly, generous, talkative, positive, and good natured person.)  Her first publication of Meet Ashti will be coming in 2008 and is the first of many books. 

If you cannot wait for the hardcover book to come, and would like to purchase an audio book for the holidays, please feel free to contact Carmen at meetashti@aol.com.  The cost is $8.00 (includes shipping and handling)

Trick or Treat

Last night, Hasani recorded a very interesting discussion on the Christian’s response to Halloween (Click here to listen).

Is the day a big trick, designed to get the world to connect with pagan elements?  Or is it a harmless treat for our young people to dress up and gather candy?

With the “holiday” just a day away, how do you approach the day, particularly as it relates to the children in your life?