So, What Would Carson Do?
This blog is part of Renee’s Loving Leaders email series, where she shares insights and strategies for Leading with Love every week. To receive these reflections directly in your inbox, sign up for the series here.
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When my eight year old grandson Carson came from Tennessee to stay with us in Washington State for two weeks in July, we committed to be TV and screen free for entertainment for his entire visit.
We wanted to make the most of our time with him. We wanted to give him different experiences that are just not as common for kids today - or for adults for that matter. And, honestly, we wanted to prove it could be done!
At first, he complained about being bored, but given some space to be with that discomfort, he found other things to do. We gave him a rich supply of stuff to mess around with, and he did. Other times, we'd offer diversions like going for walks, playing games or cards, making art, reading, or cooking. (Please know that at the end of a busy day, this took some serious energy and commitment on our part!)
We talked too. Lots of talking. He opened up in the way that grandchildren sometimes do to their grandparents building trust and giving us the chance to speak encouragement and confidence into his life.
Carson is curious, bright and possesses what my husband Jim describes as a triple portion of initiative. So as he got used to this screenfree world, he was lit up, engaged, and wanted to try to do or help with EVERYTHING. And as often as we could the answer was “Yes you can!"
I think about all this because not only were his days more meaningfully well-filled, ours were too.
Carson busy reading
Carson is back home now, and we are back to our normal routines which aren't terrible but certainly have more screens in them than are good for us.
I am certain I would be a healthier human, a better partner to my husband, and a better leader, if I were reading more books and less feeds, if I were having more conversations with friends and randomly watching less reruns of Friends (or whatever I stumble on), if I were doing more of what's REAL and watching fewer reels!
Right? You know exactly what I'm talking about!
All those screens, all that distraction, all that wasted attention is not loving myself or valuing my life.
But being Loving Leaders begins with self-love, self-respect, and self-care. And so I am challenging myself to be aware of what that really means: Honoring my life and filling it with substance.
Now when I get a little bored or restless or tired, I'm asking myself, “What would Carson do?”
Learning to love my life like an eight year old.
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