Do The Math
(This is my youngest, when he was in third grade. He's a sweetie.)
When I was in the third grade, I got strep throat and missed several days of school. It was during this absence that my math teacher - whose name is omitted for reasons you'll soon understand - began our first lessons on long division.
Once healthy again, I returned to class and discovered the intimidating and cryptic language of divisors and remainders, and everyone else nodding in understanding and agreement with the obvious facts that this is where you carry that, but only when you need to, because of course those were the rules.
I didn't get it. At all.
I went to the teacher a few times with questions, but after some tries at one-on-one help, I had exasperated her, and she said these words.
"Maybe you're just not a math person."
Hm. Not a math person. I mulled the idea. She was the teacher; she must be right.
Henceforth I was DONE, released from pressure to persist at division or its future, unintelligible cousins - algebra, geometry - as it was clear that numbers weren't my calling, and I shouldn't trouble myself to try and catch up to the fully-qualified math people, who doubtless would succeed as scientists and accountants and maybe even astronauts. Oh well.
Were you a kid like this? Do you have a child or grandchild who thinks this way? Two losses at soccer and they're finished? A low test grade, or a tough workout, or a few cross words from a friend and they're through? It's a discouraging, self-defeating way to live.
It wasn't until I'd been married a few years and began dealing with household finances and money math that I realized I could do much of the figuring (fairly accurately!) in my head. My husband, who is very smart and capable, quietly exclaimed over this ability, instead relying on a calculator. Then when our kids started doing math in school, it was me who could help them through the homework.
Don't get me wrong; I bowed out of tutoring once they got to physics and calculus, but there's no denying the fact that when I apply myself, focus, practice and TRY - who'd have guessed it - I can do the math.
What skill/ability/hobby/relationship/dream have you given up on, maybe long ago, because of family history, a misplaced comment, or just someone else's bad day? Are you ready to get rid of the labels that are keeping you from the life you want? You could have...
- a non-smoking household
- financial flexibility and control
- a role in the community theater
- a blog following
- your degree
- control of your blood sugar without medication
- a "grown-up" job
- a peaceful love relationship
Come to my next free coaching session (see sidebar for details), and find out how you -- and your kids! -- can be more open and motivated to making the changes you need. You don't have to talk, we always have a great time, and I'll even bring the notes. Hope to see you there.
