| Think back to your childhood for a moment. Did | | | | socially is an important task, but it will not ensure their |
| anyone ever sit you down and talk with you about | | | | happiness. "Living a joyful and passionate |
| how to live a joyful and passionate life? Was this a | | | | life" needs to be added to the childhood |
| frequent topic of discussion in the classroom, or at the | | | | curriculum.Unfortunately, schools aren't likely to |
| dinner table? If so, then chances are good you came | | | | squeeze it in between history and gym class anytime |
| into contact with a significantly advanced soul. Most of | | | | soon. So how can we teach these lessons at home? |
| our childhood lessons are in fact about being | | | | There are two important avenues, and both are |
| successful, not about being happy. And the one, | | | | necessary for the greatest effect. First, provide your |
| unfortunately, does not necessarily lead to the other.In | | | | children with a living example. Practice the art of living a |
| school, lessons are about history, geography, | | | | joyful and passionate life however, whenever, and |
| mathematics, grammar. The emphasis is ultimately on | | | | wherever you can.Second, engage your children in a |
| preparing each student for future training in a trade, be | | | | dialog on the subject. You won't have all the answers. |
| it technical school, college, or even a Ph.D. program. | | | | You aren't supposed to. So explore the possibilities |
| The curriculum is concerned with financial success, not | | | | together. Talk to them openly about your greatest |
| happiness. And although financial success can provide | | | | joys. Ask them about their dreams. Experience those |
| the most basic aspects of human satisfaction--food, | | | | joys and dreams together, and explore new |
| clothing, shelter--beyond these the connection between | | | | possibilities as they arise. This will jump start a |
| money and happiness is tenuous at best.At home, | | | | wonderfully positive cycle of shared learning and |
| most lessons are designed to promote socially | | | | growth.If you're having trouble opening the |
| acceptable ideas and behavior. Knowing how to fit in is | | | | conversation, try asking them what they think makes |
| a form of social success. Children learn to eat with | | | | people happy and see what they say. You might learn |
| utensils instead of their hands. They are reminded to | | | | something. (Remember what Paula Poundstone says: |
| say "please" and "thank you." | | | | adults are always asking kids what they want to be |
| They are instructed (hopefully) not to bite, not to hit, not | | | | when they grow up because the grown-ups are |
| to lie, not to steal. In short, they are indoctrinated with | | | | looking for ideas.)These conversations are pure gold. |
| the countless behavioral, moral, and legal codes of our | | | | They will encourage your children to pursue a joyful |
| inherited civilization.But here, again, learning how to | | | | life, and they will remind you to do the same. In fact, |
| "fit in" covers only the most basic level of | | | | the conversations themselves are likely to be among |
| happiness. We are glad not to be outcasts, but at the | | | | your greatest joys. Sharing your most profound |
| same time, "fitting in" can be its own source | | | | inspirations with the people you love most in the world |
| of sadness and disappointment. In the days before the | | | | is about as joyful as it gets. That's lesson number one. |
| modern feminist movement, how many women would | | | | You can build the rest of the syllabus together.--EM |
| have been happier as doctors or lawyers than they | | | | Sky has been a math instructor for The Johns Hopkins |
| were being housewives? How many doctors and | | | | University, a special effects technician in Hollywood, a |
| lawyers today would be happier as auto mechanics if | | | | project manager for BellSouth, and a rock climbing |
| they weren’t concerned about their social | | | | instructor in Atlanta. She even tried being a lawyer for |
| "status"? What percentage of each human | | | | a while, but fortunately she came to her senses. Now |
| lifetime is spent worrying about what other people | | | | she is an author, writing on business, life, and society |
| think?Teaching children to succeed both financially and | | | | for the whole human being. |