Today, Annie and I did a workshop entitled Everybody Hurts. It was an interactive experience for parents and their teens to explore the realities and the pain of growing up in the 21st century. We showed the participants an episode of Without A Trace that portrays the teenage angst and struggle to communicate with their peers, to navigate the tumultuous waters of adolescence, and a variety of parental responses. It is a profound episode. It was a privilege to enter into conversation with parents and teens who are struggling to connect.
I was humbled as I became more aware of the ways that I don't listen well to my kids, the ways that I don't practice what I preach...that there are so many more questions than there are answers... However, I do believe that conversation is a beginning and understand more fully that communication comes in many forms.
As I prepared for the workshop, I immersed myself, once again, in the music of the culture, and as i sit and watch the grammys, I am familiar with many of the songs, and 'hearing' far more than I would if I had not done the seminar. I am reminded how important it is to stay connected to my kids music...because it speaks volumes and I am learning to listen better, to listen differently...
Interestingly...just as i am writing this blog- john mayer won the song of the year award for his song "daughters"~ it is very telling- that the song of the year is about the crucial relationship between parents and children...
Just prior to this award, a number of musicians joined together to sing the Beatles hit, "Across the Universe," in support of the Tsunami victims...ITunes is donating all proceeds to the victims, and CBS has a donation link. They are anticipating a huge response as people reach out...
Connection... we crave it, seek it...we were created for it...
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