I don't know if I hit 'it' or not ~ or practice 'it' right or not. I've been told I think too much though! All I know is that I try to help those I can and raise my kids the same way. PAY IT FORWARD

My practice is to say something or compliment someone whom I wouldn't approach normally. If I'm near them; like in a store, or passing the halls in school, anyone you see taking your kids somewhere or your spouse to dinner. Pay a compliment or smile and say hello. Could be that person is having a rotten day or it's the first time they've been out of their house and it's the only conversation theyll have (if they're elderly or alone).

Maybe, just maybe, their day is picked up a little. Then maybe their mood will be a bit better and that person will feel good enough to perhaps say hi to someone else that day in line at the food store or walking home or on the phone (or on DS). And so on and on and on.

Sometimes a smile or a word does amazing things. Except, it sucks that if you have kids you have to teach them, and drill into them about strangers when they are little. It's a balancing act for anyone under a certain age. That's unfortunate. Maybe someday..................................
I'm a dreamer, don't laugh. kim

I feel a kinship with you, I am a dreamer, believe in paying it forward, and I have been told I think TOO much too!
I have a daughter, 21 years old.

I like what you wrote, agree with you

Is this a private party or can anybody come?

Led Zeppelin lyric of "Friends" ..

"The greatest thing you ever can do, now
is trade a smile with someone who's blue, now
It's very easy, just ..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAXy94K2A5s

I wish they had finished the sentence.

Me too!
Yes anybody can join in this party! It's our party and we can join if we want to!
Cool song
Thanks for that!

wow- the only known live recording!
Thanks!

I'm going to party with you and ask a question.

How many of you have kids and found that in having you suddenly wonder about this whole “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” way more than you did pre-kids?

I was a happy "under thinker" until my children.

Do all kids go through the stage where everything you say elicits the response "why?"? I complained to my folks when my son started doing it and they told me that I had done the same thing. Too bad I didn't remember any of their answers to my questions. LOL

The innocence of a child can reawaken us to the wonder of the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clxtg2pFTQM

I thought about things a lot more when I had my daughter, and that means I thought WAY too much! (I was never a happy under thinker!) I was always thinking too much anyway even before I had my daughter. My daughter asked why many times, I know I sure did ! Why? Why? How come?
I agree the innocence of children can awaken us to wonders, although I think I never lost my wonder!
Nice tune bonusjack, good reply lotusinbloom, good question
WHY? WHY? LOL

Lets all join in at the party of life shall we? : )

Do all kids go through the stage where everything you say elicits the response "why?"

yes they do. My personal philosophy as a parent is to make sure this isn't just a stage but a lifestyle.

:)

maybe not a "happy underthinker" and more a "happy not to be worrying about everything from global economy in 20 years to what did she just eat of the floor" person. LOL

*off*

sigh

Scientists say that we go through stages of growth spiritually just as we do psychologically. One of those stages is where we ask questions and decide whether to accept or reject what we have been taught. The church we grew up in may no longer be the one which is right for us.

Jack & Lotus & Book - Mine do too. As a kid I got "because" when I asked why after the age of five. Why Mom? "Because" (PERIOD). I figured it out on my own, sometimes right, sometimes wrong, sometimes I made it right :p.

I think out of the box,

i Switch it around on my kids (who wil be 10 & 15 next month) and say 'why do you think". I'm happy that I'm raising thinkers. A little worried that I'm raising FREE thinkers that might turn not the world around but turn rebelious.

In this world, nothing is right or wrong with the way you raise your kids , whoops, check that. Treat others kindly, absolutly no prejudice, no littering and share. To name a few. (Yup, geekdom does not wear out)

Any thoughts?
brat

It's a fine line.

You wrote exactly what I tried to teach my daughter
treat others kindly
no prejudice
no littering
share
I would ask her why too, why do you think this or that.
I think I think out of the box too
I think my daughter is a thinker, a free one too. I raised her to question, to ask, to wonder.

It IS a fine line, raising kids is a responsibility, they are little sponges, waiting to soak up the world.

My mom told me that too-BECAUSE-or because "I said so" I tried to answer my daughter, wouldn't over do (tried not to) but tried to give her an answer. I would get so frustrated when my mom said that, it made me even more curious as to why.