You can do better is not "You're not good enough"

"Guys that was pretty good but I know you can do better". He was telling me I obviously didn't know how high the bar should be and I'd only do a disservice by putting it anywhere."----Randy Pausch "The Last Lecture"

I hope when I push you to strive for more you feel it's because I believe in you and not because you feel you aren't good enough. I will try to tell you specifically what I like 10 times more than I say something I don't like. How am I doing at that???

Love, Mom

-- Posted from my iPhone

Hard lessons

It's not how hard you hit but how hard you are hit and keep moving forward---Randy Pausch

I'm trying very hard to stay out of your way and let you learn life's lessons your own way. I only wish it weren't so darn hard. I want to protect you from pain and disappointment....but really the better lesson is to teach you how to deal with frustration and how to get back onto your feet if you fall. You'll feel stronger that way. At the same time, I'll always be here with a kiss and a band-aid, trying hard not to gasp as I see the fall coming.

I want you both to be the type of people who make lemonade from the lemons life throws at you. I want you to find the good in the bad. I want you to find strength as the world crumbles around you. But I also want you to reach out for help when you need it. Read the "The Last Lecture," Randy is a great example of a lemonade manufacturer :)

I realize I need to model that type of persistence, but also allow you to in small measures experience the joy that comes with a hard earned victory over adversity.

Love, Mama

-- Posted from my iPhone

Keep trying

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls aren't there to keep you out. They are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The Brick walls are there for people who don't want it badly enough." --Randy Pauch

Or as you both sing from "Yo Gabba Gabba"....."Keep trying, keep trying. Don't give up, don't give up. Keep trying, keep trying. You'll get it right, you'll get it right."

Persist and fight to make your dreams a reality. I'll be there to cheer you on :). If it's hard to acheive, the success will be even sweeter.

---Love, Mom

-- Posted from my iPhone

Criticism

"When you are screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they've given up on you. You may not want to hear it but your critics are often the ones telling you they still love you and care about you and want to make you better." Randy Pauch

I hope you will not be as sensitive to criticism as I am. Don't take it as a personal attack....see it Randy's way instead.

Love, Mom


-- Posted from my iPhone