What motivates you to learn and to grow?
(“The Daily Question”, gratefulness.org. 1/31/21)
Question. Experience. Reflection. Relationship.
There was so much happening. I was trying to take in all the moments. I spotted my family several rows up from the floor. Chancellor Tucker was talking about what it means to be a graduate of TCU. This idea, more a paraphrase than direct quote, is all I remember. “You’ve been educated to consult many sources, to weigh the validity of the information from those sources, and to ask quality questions.”
Experience can be a great teacher. Maybe it is the best teacher. If you want to be the best version or better version of yourself, pay attention to the experiences that help you become the better you. There is an entire market of “stuff,” genre of self-help, and virtual selling of experience. There are vacations, trips, and camps. I think we all have an experience that help’s us remember the best version of ourselves when times are hard, tragic, and especially when a moment is nuanced.
Self reflection is necessary. It is not always easy, but necessary. As a child, youth, and even in early adulthood, I never had a good answer for my parent’s favorite question, “Why did you do that?” Like many, I often just fell back on, “I don’t know.” even when I did know and didn’t want to admit it. My mother’s response, “Go to you room and think about what you did and how you will behave differently next time while your dad and I decide the best consequence.” She meant punishment. Once I reached junior high, I was expected to have an answer for the “why” when I emerged from my room to demonstrate that I had thought about my actions. That is when the dialogue about my actions began as well as dispensing of consequences. You never get asked, “Why did you do that?” about the good decisions. Now, why is that.
Stranded alone on a desert island, Chuck (Tom Hanks), opens a box that washed up on the beach. It contains a soccer ball. Wilson, the brand of ball and name Chuck gives him, becomes his friend. Wilson helps Chuck cope with the isolation. In a moment of confrontation, Wilson helps Chuck decide to leave the island for the sea and risk death to be found. But, they and may never being found. Chuck’s wears a pocket watch around his neck. A photo of his fiancé is inside. A relationship can comfort, challenge, create stress, suffocate, be mutual or one-sided. Some relationships are good. Some detrimental. Do you have one or two “good” relationships? A friend, companion, or community.
When Ash Wednesday arrives later this month (Feb 17th), thus begins a ritual journey that Christianity calls Lent. It can be a time of growth. First time growth or renewed growth. Join the Regional Youth Council for questions and reflection about experience and relationship on this ritual journey that disciples take following Jesus to Jerusalem. The RYC Lent devotional can be downloaded on February 15th here on the Region’s website.
