Tom McMahon, Kid Tips syndicated column, www.kidtips.com
Contra Costa Times, April 20, 2005
Graduations are just around the corner. Instead of sending a boring old "Congratulations, graduate" card to a friend or relative, spice it up with a little wisdom--your wisdom. Better yet, ask every adult who is close to the graduate to offer a gem or two of sound advice. There are myriad ways it could be presented: personal letters, a collection of wisdom bound in a book, a group circle during a graduation party, etc.
The graduate will probably appreciate it, for our society is one of a few that lacks a rite-of-passage ceremony through which elders pass down wisdom to those on the threshold of adulthood. If this catches on--and I sincerely encourage family members to try it--our centuries-long absence of an initiation ceremony marking adulthood could come to an end. And at this time in history, our young people can surely use all the wisdom we can offer.
Please share your thoughts about this subject, including creative ways to pass along our wisdom. Our first contributor below offers a great idea to try.
Words to live by: a journal of wisdom: "In my daughter's senior year of high school, I decided to create for her a treasury of advice from valued family members in the form of a journal she could take with her out into the world. Grandparents, aunts and uncles contributed their tips, favorite stories, quotations and heartfelt wishes for leading a happy and healthy life (mind, body and spirit, health, friendship, love, work, money, success, etc.).
What evolved was a record of our family's advice, values and personalities, as well as an invitation to talk more about life issues as they come up for her. We presented it to her as a graduation gift. Everyone loved it so much that we later created a fill-in version for other families to do the same. "--Kate Marshall
