One rule in life that I try to rigidly adhere to…..stop at every kid’s lemonade stand and buy something, even if I don’t really want it. I think it’s important to support any kid that is willing to show the motivation and courage to put themselves out there and work toward a goal. How often have you zinged by in a hurry to get to your next appointment, to get home to watch a favorite television show, or just didn’t want to put the effort into it?
Here is a kid that is dreaming, and not only dreaming, but putting action behind his or her dreams. The size of the dream is of no consequence as much as the child is utilizing creativity, goals, action, and interpersonal skills. I think we could learn a thing or two about what it means to support our kids in their endeavors. Yes, I said “our kids” because this is bigger than the children we birth or adopt. This is about the grander community. It does not matter what color of skin, what zip code of residence, or what product they are even selling. By stopping and engaging with children we have an opportunity and an honor to teach through interaction and modeling. We also have a chance to redeem the portions of our soul that we often blindly sell in pursuit of more.
Viktor Frankl wrote, “Don’t aim at success–the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.”
By sacrificing a little time and typically a dollar or less, you can satisfy both. I have yet to find that I am economically strapped after giving up a little change five, ten, or even twenty times a year. And, I really cannot say who walks away with a bigger smile, me or the children.
You want success? Invest in children.
