Honesty chat- <G> *Current events have made me aware that a "Great Transition" is underway in my family, as my son turned 18.
Us solid types<G> who have put much into our kids childhoods often miss the mark with this phase of life, where the bird begins to learn to fly on his own... *I had some trouble with my Dad over issues when I was 18 and I want to do better- *For Josh and for my own peace of mind. I'm several things- ..as a Dad 1.I'm on the edge of my seat- I don't know the future or the gameplan Josh is about to choose for himself. *I'm pledged to love him and in measured amounts support anything he chooses. He may choose "Plan A" and enroll in College next year.. He may do something else.. 2.I'm a "compassionate conservitive judge" Many times, the shortcommings we see brings rebuke, that earlier in his life was warrented. At this point of transition, his age requires adult *understanding and grace in these matters. Josh has done well, and earned a certian amount of respect with trust. That said.. sometimes his decisions are flakey<G> 3.I'm a Liberal and tolerant source of encouragement *Personaly, for me- I have chosen not to sweat the details... At 18, his music, dress and culture *should be "different" and is- from mine. However, the goal is to continue open communication and "moments" of positive contact built on mutual respect. 4.I'm an "Investment banker" in sketchy enterprise<G> Every young bird will learn to fly. My hope is that Josh learns to fly solo.. He needs to know how the world works, and how money greases the skids to aquire wealth. He should learn the value of money and how it relates to effort, *But he should also learn to be generious while learning thrift. This too is also a spiritual "Ministry" for me. I do give regularily and sacrificialy!<G> (Bank of Dad) 5.I'm an "Oracle of reason" Sometimes the best thing we can do is to just talk about nothing in general, and let the convesation drift to other topics.. Often, this leads me to draw sketches on scrap paper to define engines of prosperity, flow charts of power and ways to watch for opportunity.. Sometimes insight comes from a 3/4 angle of a nagging problem. Recently we can accross a format called "active listening" where you signal back what you "heard" following a conversational point. Brutal as this is.. *The thought that we were trying something off a paper to build fair communication skills, fired new resolve in Josh to play fair<G> ...mayby seeing where the "game" came from allowed him to better participate<G> Here's the scoresheet on my son... Josh Wheeler 18 Senior Ft.Vancouver HS GPA 3.1 president of "model United Nations" Summer lifeguard Camp Meriwether GMA#3911 Eagle Scout Potential Tuition waver to LC College Portland,or '87 Honda Civic Girlfriend- "Jennifer" enjoys alturnitive rock and hip-hop 1 Total wreck of his car-zero injury 1 speeding ticket No job.. *Stay tuned- -=A=- ===== *High MORALE is the Index of effective Leadership. --------------********+********-------------------- Morale raises belief of the Leader in the follower, of the follower in the Leader, of each in themself, and both in the .....cause! __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______ "Do to others as you would have them do to you." -- Luke 6:31 (NIV) List host: http://eBible.org/mpj/ List info: http://RangerNet.org/faq.htm To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm
