I have to admit I’m a sucker for those feel good little videos that pop up on social media, especially when they include kids.  Today it was a pre-schooler, walking to school with his little backpack, holding a banana reciting “I’m smart, I’m blessed, I can do ANYTHING”, the last word becoming more emphatic with each repetition.  Oh sure it’s cute and reminiscent of Stuart Smalley on SNL or “you is smart, you is kind, you is important” from The Help.  However, having dealt with a child who arrived in my room angry today, calling themselves “dumb” and “stupid”, unable to focus, I don’t look at this as just being cute anymore.  I’m beginning to wonder if a mantra like this might be essential for children.

Another story that popped up today was that of former President Carter, the 95 year old sporting 14 stitches and a huge bruise from a fall in his home.  I’ll be honest, if that had been me I would have been propped up in bed being waited on – if anyone was ever home to wait on me.  Anyway, I digress.  Instead of laying around, what is he doing?  He’s working on a home for Habitat for Humanity, something he’s been working on for 35 years. That’s a long time but I started to think about it.  That means he was 60 when began.  Wait a minute.  I’M 60.

I’m smart.  I’m blessed.  I can do anything.  You know, when you have a purpose and you believe in your ability to accomplish that purpose, you can do anything.  This is where it starts.  President Carter could have blown off his commitment and nobody would have faulted him for it.  But he had a purpose, a reason to get up off the couch and do something for someone else.  He feels blessed and therefore feels he can and should bless  others.

So where do we miss the mark when we have young children who literally hurt themselves, calling themselves stupid?  How did we let them down by letting them believe that CAN’T do anything?  Before you think I’m talking about giving every kid a trophy for doing the bare minimum, making them believe that they can do no wrong, that’s not what I’m talking about.  That’s another blog for another day.  There’s a healthy way to help kids believe in themselves without building up a false self esteem.  There’s a way to teach kids that each person has something special to give to society, gifts meant to help others, that make them special.  Yes, they are smart, and blessed with their gifts, they can do anything they set their mind to.

Also, I’m convinced that the message is not just for kids.  Those of us who are nearing or in retirement, when society thinks we should slow down or just stop completely, have a purpose as well.  Our gifts don’t stop giving just because we reach a certain milestone in the age department. I’m inspired both by this young man just beginning his story and the older gentleman reaching the end of his.  I am smart, I am certainly blessed and I can still do anything.