About a month ago, after work...
My firstborn seemed to have something to say, his mouth moving around...And then he said...
' My friends only praise me for being good at studying.. '
So.. it wasn't an important conversation or anything, so..
' What's the point of being good at that..? There are probably a lot of people who can't even do that..'
I said that..
His eyes were sparkling as if he wanted to talk...By chance...The housekeeper had just made kimchi...She must have been having a hard time.
So we ordered spicy soup and stew. The four of us gathered at the table...
There was a corner in school where friends praised each other...But when other friends praised my daughter...They said she was good at studying...She's kind..
So..
I asked her what they praised her for.
As expected~
She said she was praised mainly for being good at studying..
So I said...
' Is being good at studying praiseworthy..? '
' Then isn't it..? '
' So.. if someone is rich.. should we praise them by saying, "That person is rich"..?'
' ... '
' Being rich or good at studying is for yourself, right..? '
' Yes..'
' Being rich isn't bad and being good at studying isn't bad either..'
' Then what is it..? '
' That person is rich but uses their own money to help the less fortunate. That person is good at studying but helps classmates who are not good at studying. That's praiseworthy..'
' So, what should I say next time they ask me to praise someone..? '
' Do you remember when you were in elementary school and got 100 points? Your father didn't praise you, did he..? '‘
' Yes..'
‘ But your father praised you a lot, don't you remember..? ‘
‘ When I helped a friend who fell down and held the door for another friend until they came in..’
‘ Yes.. that kind of thing.. helping others, being kind and generous.. it may seem like nothing, but that's what truly deserves praise..’
‘ Yes, I understand..’
Of course, they are still young children...Among them, being good at studying might be considered praiseworthy.But studying is for your own benefit.
You wouldn't praise someone just because they have a lot of money..
For example, me...
A sculpted face, a great physique, the greatest intellect of the 21st century..
That can't be considered praise.It's just a fact.
If I used those things to help others or have a positive impact on someone, then I would deserve praise.
Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've received any praise...
Think of it as doing a good deed and throw in a few words before you go..
Love you..
