“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
Frank Outlaw
Destiny is a big word, a very big word. Where does a child’s destiny begin?
It begins within Communication, Art and Music. These disciplines take each child from the unknown to the beginning of the known. Communication is easy for children. They are innocent, spontaneous, direct and honest. Their communication takes a path from their mind to their mouth; it is out before it can be filtered. This is what makes children so treasured and joyful.
I believe in communication. I believe in teaching children how to continue to communicate in ways that preserve their direct, honest childhood paths. They learn by watching us, hearing what we say and then observing what we do. My mother used to say, “Do as I say, not as I do!” That was very confusing for me. I didn’t get it and it was never humorous. She should have said, “Listen to what I say and do as I do.” Now that makes sense.
Our thoughts become words; Our words become actions.
Art is a path to self-expression. Self-expression is an essential outlet for frustration, joy, sadness, and many other emotions that children have but do not understand. When self-expression is repressed children become intuitively angry and disruptive. Children need color, texture and large places to splash paint onto huge canvasses of paper and boards. Children need bits and pieces of familiar things they turn into objects of art that reflect their dreams and imaginings. These works of art are indispensable creations for parents. When children observe their parents’ response to their treasures they begin to believe in their dreams. It is our dreams that propel us forward into the unknown. Children are fearless.
Our actions become habits; Our habits become character.
Music is universal. It needs no translation. It is an art form that communicates. No matter the nationality, we are one at a concert. When children enter a room with a piano, we soon hear them playing with the keys. It is like water, they can’t stay out of it. Children love music; toddlers dance when they hear it. Music brings rhythm into their lives. Rhythm brings balance.
Children who communicate, express their creativity and have music in their souls. They are balanced. Balance at an early age forms the foundation for character. Character is the base upon which to build destiny.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
