Passing on Perspective
I stepped off the plane from China a different person. No, I wasn’t playacting a scene from Parent Trap. My thoughts had altered. It was the first time I had “seen the world”, especially a place so unlike America. What I discovered about the New and Improved Me was this:
I wanted to download this new perspective into anyone, everyone! But knowledge like this is not easily transferred. It’s experienced. If I had limitless time and money, my kids would travel the world. Let them see something bigger than *us*.
God designed this world. Created his people. How can I get my children to care?
One way is through books. I may not be able to jet set my kids around the world, but I can bring the world to them. Two of our recent reads are Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
and Material World: A Global Family Portrait. These books are filled with pictures of people in other countries. My wiggly boys (5, 3) were mesmerized by photos of mud houses, communal bowls, and raw meat. I was entranced myself.
And now I wish I could play “Parent Trap”, getting my “countries” all together to enjoy the best of all worlds. Until then, I will blab my perspective on to you.
Check out those books! And prepare to be changed.
A changed perspective is a changed person.
- I talked with Chinese women and felt my Frankness. Directness. Pushiness. The Chinese talk all around an issue, using nonverbal clues more than words.
*Now* I hold back my words and tune more into body language.
- I ate meals around a Chinese table and saw my Individualism. My Shyness. My Hurriedness. The Chinese eat as a group, one person ordering food to be shared by all. Meals are a social experience.
*Now* I have a deeper desire for community. - I passed houses the size of a bathroom and saw my Greed. My Consumption. My Wealth. The Chinese are accustomed to this lifestyle.
*Now* I aim to get by with less.
I wanted to download this new perspective into anyone, everyone! But knowledge like this is not easily transferred. It’s experienced. If I had limitless time and money, my kids would travel the world. Let them see something bigger than *us*.
God designed this world. Created his people. How can I get my children to care?
One way is through books. I may not be able to jet set my kids around the world, but I can bring the world to them. Two of our recent reads are Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
and Material World: A Global Family Portrait. These books are filled with pictures of people in other countries. My wiggly boys (5, 3) were mesmerized by photos of mud houses, communal bowls, and raw meat. I was entranced myself.And now I wish I could play “Parent Trap”, getting my “countries” all together to enjoy the best of all worlds. Until then, I will blab my perspective on to you.
Check out those books! And prepare to be changed.
3 comments:
Great post. Everytime I come here, I am so thrilled to see what a wonderful mama you are. your kids are so very blessed to have you! :)
Those books indeed sound good. I'll be looking into them. :)
First Great blog, I am new here and it looks wonderful. I can not wait to read Hungry Planet. I have it on hold at the library, I am going to get it tomorrow. They do not have the other one but I am going to see if they can get it in. Hopefully they will.
Thank you for sharing this. I needed some perspective today.
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