Fat Skinny Pretty Healthy; Nix the Mixed Signals?

We try  to teach our children healthy habits: eat right, exercise etc.   We also try to teach our children to accept themselves for who they are and not worry about any other "standards of beauty" placed by an arbitrary society.

But are our signals mixed?  On the one hand we encourage more carrots and less cupcakes but on the other we tell ourselves that "fat shaming" is bad and that chubby is in, it's cool, it's beautiful and it's all about that bass.

"Just accept yourself for who you are." Is truly a healthy message for a young teen who is finding their place in the world and trying to figure out who they are in the first place.   Do we consider however, that the food we consume can be toxic and that that toxicity can manifest as weight gain?

The Sensational Dr. Spin

There is great value in learning to recognize when we are being played.  It is expected that the entertainment industry will lull us into a fantasy using hyperbole and beguiling presentation.  We actually want that from our entertainment because it's great fun.  However, although pretending to be factual, it's important to acknowledge most media "news" is just another facet of the entertainment industry, and as such, uses a technique called spin to sensationalize reality and make it more enticing for the audience. 

In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or public figure. While traditional public relations may also rely on creative presentation of the facts, "spin" often implies disingenuous, deceptive and/or highly manipulative tactics. (definition from Wikipedia)

We engaged in a spin exercise recently and it was fun, educational and a little bit wacky :)  

In order to avoid being manipulated by the daily avalanche of fallacious news and information we must learn to separate fact from fiction; and calling out fallacies.  We learn to do that by employing critical thinking skills. We sharpen those skills through ongoing practice and experience.

In an effort to exercise this skill and better understand how easily we can be manipulated by coy presentations of information, we became the manipulators, so-to-speak and played Spin Doctor.

Here is the exercise.  It's quite fun.  Give it a try and if you do, let us know how it goes for you!

This is appropriate for any child whose writing skills are well enough to write a couple of paragraphs and express themselves reasonably.  The grammatical mechanics and style prose are not as important as the exercise itself.  (Although, any writing is a good opportunity to discuss these elements)

First, write a straight article on anything at all that occurred recently.  It's especially fun if it's a mundane event with some sort of punctuated element:  It was a windy day, a  waitress brought the wrong drink at the restaurant, a friend fell off a bike down the street, a dog kept barking next door, Mom made pancakes for breakfast.

When writing the straight article, just stick to the facts, what, how, who, why, when.  Avoid opinions, emotions etc.  Just tell what happened.

This works better with 2 or more participants.  If you are working with one child, do an article yourself as well or ask your spouse or other friends family to help out.  We did four.  

Then swap the articles and SPIN!  Participants will read the straight article and add sensationalism to it, making it still mostly true, but with tactical spin.  The goal is to make it sound more interesting and dramatic and like something ghastly or incredibly awesome happened and that everyone should take cover or take action.  This is done by inserting hyperbole, well-placed opinion, logical flaws and manipulative language.

This is not an easy thing to do!  And that is part of what is learned here - that sensationalism is a skill and a trade that people practice and therefore are paid to do - which tells us something about "news" right there!

The second, but no less important lesson learned here is how to recognize manipulative language and spin, which helps us learn to avoid being swayed by it.

And of course, extra practice in the mechanics of language and creative use of words, helps us sharpen our communication skills which bolsters our intellectual health and well being. 

Reading the straight, then the spun version out-loud is fun, educational and brings about great discussion.   We laughed, we pondered, we philosophized for a good chunk of the afternoon; and it still comes up frequently when we recognize spin elsewhere; which is the whole idea!

Spin Doctoring helps train the brain to recognize when it is happening and punctuates the significance of understanding language beyond just superficial speech and reading words.  It also demonstrates the significance of critical reasoning.




Skills Practiced:  Grammar, Communication skills, Creative writing/expression, Critical Reasoning

Understanding the Curve: Recognizing the Relationship between Learning and Living

We can incorporate skillful learning and deliberate education into natural life by embracing it’s natural relationship that already exists.

There is no “How To” instruction guide to this.  It is not a matter of explicit instructions; in fact, doing so would contradict the entire idea.   To incorporate skillful learning and critical reason into life, we must first accept that learning is part of living and that we can weave critical logical skills into the fabric of our lives simply by accepting the harmonious and complimentary relationship between these two concepts. 

All of life is an ongoing, self-perpetuating learning experience.  Many of the most influential spiritual gurus and philosophers throughout history have strongly suggested that learning is the entire purpose and meaning of life.  I myself tend to believe and assert that learning is the very meaning of life.  From the moment we are born,  our brains are working to discover, understand and communicate with other living beings and the entire environment that surrounds us.  We hunger and thirst for new information and understanding on an ongoing basis.  

Human beings are compelled to move forward, physically (we learn to walk by natural compulsion) spiritually (we love, we feel, we anger, we mourn, we laugh) and intellectually (we want to know, understand, tell our story, hear others, count, analyze, try).  We will do it all the time, no matter what.  The question is whether or not we will proceed in a way that fosters health, and with encouragement that supports further positive growth. 

The snafu occurs when that natural desire is interrupted by attempts to affix prescribed agendas of others; when fallacious information is presented inside of a controlled and limited environment; when discussion is discouraged in favor of absorbing arbitrary information and when that absorption is measured by tests and children are lost in worlds of statistics and made to believe that personal success is measured by digits place value on a checking account.

For example, school dictates a governed objective, or that of a mass-collective . This standard ruins intellectual curiosity and stunts communication skills.

So learning can, does and will happen regardless of what we do or avoid doing with, for and to our children.  Whether or not they will learn is not the question.  The question is how will they learn, what limits will be placed upon them, or removed and what guidance, support and encouragement will they receive.  Will it be healthy?  Will it be supported?  Will the information be presented by experienced wisdom?  What is the value of the education being acquired? 

This is all determined by the value of the learning experience and a valuable learning experience is one that acknowledges individual desires, utilizes creativity and meets our spiritual, physical and intellectual needs in healthy and nutritious ways. 

We do this by incorporating everything we learn here with some practical ideas and suggestions that can be used as springboards to inspire our own ideas and experiences for and with our family, and without institutional intervention.

Once we understand the philosophies of natural learning and the philosophy of logic, we begin to naturally see how they compliment each other and how true personal freedom relies upon these principles.  This is the Curve.  Once we recognize the Curve, applying the principles begins to happen organically, and we will recognize opportunities more and more often. 

As we move forward it is always helpful to seek out tips, ideas and suggestions that can help us explore and discover a deeper understanding, a more enriching learning experience so that we can help our family flourish intellectually thus spiritually, thus physically.    Coming soon, I will add more to a practical application section which will offer ideas to supplement your own unique experience or prompt your own discoveries.  

 

CRUCIAL

Written as a companion to my “Deliberate” presentations, this handy guide offers a memorable formula to help improve successful communication, and fosters an appreciation for skillful use of communication tools.

Everyone has an important message, everyone has something to express.  The simple strategy offered herein, can help anyone ensure impact and thereby achieve personal goals by remembering that communication is crucial!

eBook $4.99

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