The Mission
The year was 2013, on a snowy fall evening.
Karen and I were visiting good friends in the mountain town of Glenwood Springs. We have known them for several years, and have enjoyed some great times together and with our children. They had moved recently, and we were in the area for an overnight visit. (actually, come to think of it, the weather was awful, and we were a bit stranded)
As we entered their home, we both took notice of an interesting piece of art in the front entry.
It said, "Family Mission Statement."
Curious. Nice conversation piece.
But the more we inquired, the more we were intrigued by this concept that had been placed on their hearts a couple years earlier. They had learned of this idea at a marriage retreat, and decided they would capitalize on it.
They sat down with their four children, and they asked some pointed questions.
"What do we want our family to be known for?"
"How are we going to treat each other?"
"What are our family values?"
"What is our inspiration?"
"What do we value most about each other?"
We were moved.
Such a simple, yet profound way of engaging our children into thinking bigger picture. Giving young ones a voice in determining the course of a family, and to participate in creating a vision for themselves. Allowing them to decide what they value, versus the parents simply deciding for them.
We didn't want to let the opportunity pass us by.
Our children were a bit older, but then again, it is never too late to have such a conversation.
It was wonderful, special, inspiring, heartwarming, to solicit feedback from our kids on what a family mission statement might look like for our family. All five of us participated, and engaged. We were able to rather easily craft a statement that captured the common themes and values.
On January 1, 2014, we had our statement. But there was one missing element......actually displaying it.
Sadly, it took 4 years to make that happen, but better late than never. We finally found an artist to capture it, and we now proudly display it in our home.
If you are reading this, in whatever family context, would you perhaps consider such a thing yourselves, if you haven't already? You won't be disappointed.
Contact me privately if you would like any help, or need more guidance on how to bring the idea to life.
Karen and I were visiting good friends in the mountain town of Glenwood Springs. We have known them for several years, and have enjoyed some great times together and with our children. They had moved recently, and we were in the area for an overnight visit. (actually, come to think of it, the weather was awful, and we were a bit stranded)
As we entered their home, we both took notice of an interesting piece of art in the front entry.
It said, "Family Mission Statement."
Curious. Nice conversation piece.
But the more we inquired, the more we were intrigued by this concept that had been placed on their hearts a couple years earlier. They had learned of this idea at a marriage retreat, and decided they would capitalize on it.
They sat down with their four children, and they asked some pointed questions.
"What do we want our family to be known for?"
"How are we going to treat each other?"
"What are our family values?"
"What is our inspiration?"
"What do we value most about each other?"
We were moved.
Such a simple, yet profound way of engaging our children into thinking bigger picture. Giving young ones a voice in determining the course of a family, and to participate in creating a vision for themselves. Allowing them to decide what they value, versus the parents simply deciding for them.
We didn't want to let the opportunity pass us by.
Our children were a bit older, but then again, it is never too late to have such a conversation.
It was wonderful, special, inspiring, heartwarming, to solicit feedback from our kids on what a family mission statement might look like for our family. All five of us participated, and engaged. We were able to rather easily craft a statement that captured the common themes and values.
On January 1, 2014, we had our statement. But there was one missing element......actually displaying it.
Sadly, it took 4 years to make that happen, but better late than never. We finally found an artist to capture it, and we now proudly display it in our home.
If you are reading this, in whatever family context, would you perhaps consider such a thing yourselves, if you haven't already? You won't be disappointed.
Contact me privately if you would like any help, or need more guidance on how to bring the idea to life.
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