MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 1, Issue 1

Story

"I wish I were more like Cindy!" I think to myself. Cindy does everything right. She's our teacher's favorite and parents love her. Not me, though! I always get in trouble for daydreaming. Adults constantly ask me, "Julie, are you paying attention?" If I were more like Cindy, I'd get along better with my parents and my teacher.

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to start acting just like her. That will make everything better. But, somehow, it doesn't. At recess, no one can think of a good game to play. I have some things in mind, but I decide not to say anything. During Math, our problem-solving group gets nothing done. I'm so busy trying to be like Cindy that I can't come up with any ideas. No one else can either. We ask Ms. Matthews for help because we're stuck. She seems surprised that we're having trouble. "I figured that your group would come up with a new and creative way to solve the problem," she says, "Julie, you always have such good ideas. Don't you have anything to contribute?"

Then I realize something. Even though I do need to stay more focused in class, I shouldn't try to be someone else. My imagination makes me different, but it also makes me special. I don't mean to sound full of myself, but I shouldn't be ashamed of who I am. My dad always says: "Do not wish to be anything but what you are and try to be that perfectly." I finally get what he's been saying all this time! I don't have to be perfect, but I do have to be myself. I don't do everything right, but I'm pretty good anyway. And the world needs me-imperfect as I am. I don't want to be anyone but me, and I will try to be that perfectly.

This week's maxim is "Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly." 

Homeroom Discussion Information

• Who is your hero?
  Name also an "everyday person" hero in your life.
• List six positive and two negative characteristics/qualities of each.
• Are there different kinds of imperfections?
• List at least three imperfections that are bad; three that are neutral; and three that may have some positive side effects. Could some things fit in more than one category? Why or why not?
• If you could change anything about yourself, what would you change? Why? (Allow some time for students to react to some of the things their peers raise.) How important are those things, really?
• Is it possible to like and accept yourself and still try to improve? How?
• Why is it important to accept your life as it is today?
• Why is it important to accept yourself as you are?
• What sorts of things are not acceptable in a person? 

Home-Use Information

Five tips for maxim-izing your family time

• Be willing to admit your mistakes. Be a good example by being humble, patient with yourself, and maintaining a good sense of humor.
• Be willing to be open with your children about the things you find difficult to accept about yourself.
• Share a story about how an adversity in your life has helped you become stronger, kinder, more thoughtful, etc.
• After your children let you know what things are hard for them to accept, let them know what about their imperfections you find endearing.
• Tell them what you love about them and be specific! That's something that they can never hear too many times.

Maxim

• "Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly."
  Francis de Sales

Character points

• Acceptance - I recognize imperfections, but I look at the goodness of the whole.
• Self-respect- I know that I have value and that I am a good person.
• Authenticity - I am genuine; I know I have skills and gifts, and that there are some things I still need to work on.
• Serenity - I like who I am and am comfortable with myself.
• Humility - I recognize my gifts and realize that I have a responsibility to use them; I know I have faults, so I work to improve myself.

Discussion starters

• List three things about yourself that you have a difficult time accepting. (These should not be character flaws-just things you wish were different about yourself).
• Choose one of the three and explain how, if that did change, you and your life would be different.
• To what extent and in what way (s), would your life be different as a result?
• How would you be different as a result?
• Is this change realistic and possible?
• If so, is it worth making? Why or why not?
• If not, why not? How can you come to terms with your life and yourself as is?
• How can we help you to be more accepting of yourself?
• What about you would you like us to be more accepting of?
• Point out the gifts/talents that make your children uniquely themselves.

Be sure to acknowledge the courage your children show in talking with you about these issues.