Life is for Living: A Public Service Announcement

September 1, 2010

You are the Sunshine in my Life

Last week, I wrote about being boxed in, and some of my favorite tools to break myself out of it. (And, I am happy to report that my tools worked — I am box free!)

So, I thought I would follow-up this week with a few words on happiness and life. You know, the stuff that actually matters…

Gather up your telegrams
Your faded pictures, best laid plans
Books and postcards, 45’s
Every sunset in the sky

Carry with you maps and string, flashlights
Friends who make you sing
And stars to help you find your place
Music, hope and amazing grace

Maybe what we leave
Is nothing but a tangled little mystery
Maybe what we take
Is nothing that has ever had a name

- Mary Chapin Carpenter

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Slow down. Live your life to the fullest. Laugh until you can hardly breath. Increase your capacity for joy. Enjoy the feeling of the breeze on your face.

Focus on experiences and people versus things and labels. Wiggle your toes in the sand and mud.

Unplug and PLAY. Jump for joy, and pass it on.

In your pursuit of happiness you have to remember that it’s always there inside of you. Even on days you scarcely believe it possible. Even when you are inside that box.

Sometimes, you just have to kick off your shoes and go look for it.

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go feel the sun on my face and walk barefoot through the grass. How about you?

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: LadyDragonflyCC -Loving the Summertime!!!

  • Share/Bookmark
By Bethe | Posted in Blogger's Note, Perspectives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Stop & Think #1: Learning Drones

June 7, 2010

study 2

When discussing the United States’ current education system, Seth Godin says,

“We train the factory workers of tomorrow. Our graduates are very good at following instructions. And we teach the power of consumption as an aid for social approval.”

~ from the book, Linchpin

I couldn’t agree more.

More anti- learning drone prose can be found at the Washington Post in the piece, Why fun in learning is so important.

The “race to the top” is a race to nowhere. Why is this so hard to understand?

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: ??

  • Share/Bookmark
By Bethe | Posted in Perspectives, education | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (15)

The Outdoor Play Tipping Point

May 24, 2010

betheI’ve been involved in the children and nature and play movements for a long time. Each day, I meet more people who are passionate about these issues and come across organizations who are tackling these issues in exciting ways.

I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. At some point we will hit that “Tipping Point” and the tide will turn. This indoor generation and the adults that foster it will stop business as usual and get back to a life full of wonder and awe that only happens when we step outside.

What will that look like?

Well, here are a few things to be on the lookout for:

  • Going outside to play will once again be the norm
  • Grass stains will be sought after and celebrated by the masses
  • Video game systems will gather dust in favor of magnifying glasses and sticks for fort building
  • Sneakers will be worn thin in record time
  • Parents will enforce screen time limits
  • Families will play together and connect with nature
  • Educators will embrace outdoor classrooms and school gardens

It’s coming — the #playoutdoors Tipping Point.

Join us…let’s make it happen SOONER rather than later.

For a bit more inspiration, check out this fantastic video from the great folks at the Sajai Foundation.

So, what are you waiting for?

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

  • Share/Bookmark
By Bethe | Posted in Perspectives, play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (12)