Something amazing has been happening in our home lately. Not long ago, my wife, son, and I were often exhausted from school, work, and chores. Our evenings typically ended with us zoning out in front of the TV or getting lost in games. But these days? You'll find all of us naturally engrossed in books. I'm diving into various topics, my wife loves her literature, and our elementary-aged son has become fascinated with world history.
동들이 많이 달라졌습니다.
A Spark Ignited: My Son's Dive into History
This shift started about 200 days ago when I picked up a history book from the library. It was H.G. Wells's "The Outline of History," which, fascinatingly enough, Albert Einstein himself recommended for understanding human civilization. The book's objective insights were so profound that it was even banned by the Nazis when it first came out!
My son, seeing me engrossed, looked over with keen interest and immediately asked, "Dad, can you buy me that book too?" That simple request opened up a whole new world for him, and he’s been hooked on world history ever since. The mention of Einstein's recommendation definitely fueled his curiosity!
Shared Pages, Shared Discoveries
Now, whether it's before work, after coming home, or on weekends, I often read aloud or share exciting passages with him.
"This part is really good. Want to read it together?" I'd ask.
At first, he'd sometimes say, "I'm busy," preferring his TV shows or games. But things have changed. Now, he often comes over, reads along with me, and even shares his own thoughts.
We've had conversations like:
- Me: "I really love this part, what do you think?"
- Son: "I like it too! We learned something similar in school…"
Listening to his pure, unadulterated thoughts often surprises me. More often than not, I find myself learning from him, seeing things from a fresh perspective I'd completely missed.
Embracing the "Child Stage": Learning from My Son
This reminds me of a previous post I wrote, "Do You Have Intent?" Many of you commented that it brought back memories of your own childhood – a time when pure curiosity and passion drove everything, free from ulterior motives.
I recently read something profound in Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra":
"The spirit passes through three metamorphoses: it begins as a camel, then becomes a lion, and finally, a child."
He describes how the spirit starts by bearing heavy burdens (camel), then asserts freedom by rejecting old authorities (lion), and finally reaches the "child stage" – a state of pure creation and freedom, where one gains their own will and world.
When I look at my son, I see this "child stage" playing out. He approaches the world with an unburdened, pure curiosity that genuinely influences me. Looking back at my own life, especially in my forties, I feel like I've spent a lot of time "enduring like a camel" and "striving like a lion" to find new things.
But now, through my son, I'm learning to embrace the 'mind of a child' – to be genuinely curious about small things and truly enjoy them. It's a humbling and enriching experience.
A Life of Mutual Growth: What Have You Learned?
What do you think about a dad learning from his son? It's clear to me that as my child grows, I'm growing right alongside him. This shared journey isn't just about watching him develop; it's about continuously developing myself, inspired by his pure perspective.
What have you learned from your children, or from the younger generation in your life? Share your stories in the comments below! Your experiences could inspire so many others.
Let's continue this small yet genuine journey of growth together, through reading, writing, walking, and running.
Happy self-improvement, today and every day. ReadWriteWalkRun.
#ParentingJourney #GrowingTogether #FamilyReading #LifelongLearning #Nietzsche #ChildhoodWonder #SelfImprovement #ReadWriteWalkRun