PERM, RUSSIA: When an 8-year old of this Ural mountains city learned about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, it was not the first time she wanted to help others.
But it was the first time she learned how.
After she studied the simple but powerful technique of delivering Scientology assists, the young girl began helping much older people, who visited the Volunteer Minister tent in search of relief from the pain and suffering they were experiencing.
I borrowed this picture and copy from The Scientology Today website. The picture and story was just so compelling to me.
The website goes on to mention a very interesting quote from L. Ron Hubbard regarding children:
"You have no right to deny your child the right to contribute."A human being feels able and competent only so long as he is permitted to contribute as much or more than he has contributed to him."
There are many ways children try to contribute. When they're very young, their contribution may simply be "making us smile." When that happens, be sure to acknowledge them. They will feel that they've gotten through and have "done their job." Children want to contribute and will attempt many ways to do so. If parents (and others around them) do not accept these efforts to contribute, they will find OTHER ways to contribute, and these "other" ways may not make you smile.
To reiterate, Mr. Hubbard said: "A human being feels able and competent only so long as he is permitted to contribute as much or more than he has contributed to him." What if your child is somewhat older — 7 or 8 or even a teenager — and you've never stressed this point of contribution and you're now witnessing a child that's not the pure joy you anticipated? What to do?
Well, the solution is to make it very okay for your child to contribute. Give him/her some easy things to do that are helpful. Give the child some wins on contributing. Acknowledge him/her when any positive contribution occurs. The idea is gently and gradually increase the child's WILLINGNESS to contribute. If you slowly but surely accomplish this one feat of getting your child to contribute "as much or more than he has contributed to him", you will see some VERY positive changes in your child.
It may take a bit to accomplish this, but it is worth every effort on your part. Do NOT try to enforce this on the child all at once. Forcing contribution has never been a winning strategy. Bring it about gradually and at a pace your child can handle and your child's mental well being will tremendously improve.
Think about it for a second. Our entire society is based on this idea of "exchange." When people exchange properly with others, life seems to go very well for them. When people do NOT exchange well with the world around them, well, life can be pretty rough.
So let's make sure our children are ready for the world by ensuring they are allowed to contribute!
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Posted by: Jeanne Basoon | September 20, 2006 at 02:49 PM