The Self Esteem Question

Is it really possible that the summer is nearly a third over? I love having more time with my kids but I have to admit that keeping them busy and entertained is a job I’ll gladly yield to PUSD in a couple of months.

A strange principal has started to rear its ugly head that I’m finding hard to ignore: The kids seem to behave more poorly when not as much is asked of them.

Case in point – on Saturday night we went to see a movie with my girl and her kids. We all had a great time. But on the way home my daughter and I renewed a running conflict that escalated into what I’ll term a grand mall hissy fit. My son got upset as well and was generally complaining about how messed up everything was, although he’s generally very upbeat and is obviously a happy kid. It wasn’t pretty and it seems to be a trend. Amusement parks and other day trips can have the same effect. We all calmed down before bed but I was determined to re-direct the next day and accomplish three important objectives:

1. Getting in some exercise and burning off any residual bad energy
2. Not spending a dime on entertainment
3. Re-connecting as a family

So we hiked Pleasanton Ridge – but with a mission.

It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed both the activity and scenery immensely. When we finally got to the top, I took three notebooks and pencils out of the canvas bag I was carrying. On the bench overlooking the Tri Valley, we all wrote down our thoughts on these topics:

1. Three things we admired or respected about the other two
2. Three things we could do to be closer as a family
3. Three things we were each grateful for

It was a wonderful exercise and was framed by the notable accomplishment of my seven and 11 year old scaling the formidable incline without a single complaint, even though I’d forgotten to bring water (a rookie mistake, I know).

So what does all this have to do with self-esteem as it pertains to a wellness lifestyle?

Well, first, the value of a relationship is defined by the quality, and to some degree, the quantity of the energy and attention you put into it. That goes for your relationship with yourself, as well as with others. Second, like the expansive view my children earned with their persistent  efforts to ascend the hill, you can accomplish great things by taking one step at a time and never quitting. Last, you can, at any time, change your perspective and open up for yourself a world of opportunity.

But you have to be willing to take that first step.

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Reminder: There are still a few spots left for our multi-disciplinary workshop on this Saturday at 1pm.

Want to talk in-person? I’m usually at the studio and can always be reached at Dan@TriValleyTrainer.com .