Each blog post for the month will begin with a summary of the chapter from the book. In this case, we are starting with Book 1: The Good Eggs. In this book, 12 virtues are highlighted; each chapter contains a new virtue. Chapter 1 begins in September with the SEL virtue of Understanding.
Chapter Summary
As The Good Eggs return to a new school year, Seggourney and the other Good Eggs are trying to figure out why the new Egg, Benedict, is so anti-social and appears to be so angry. They are trying to understand his situation in order to help him. Luckily, Reggie went through a similar struggle when his family first moved to Albumen. Reggie was able to use his past experience to make a connection with Benedict. Because the other three Good Eggs hadn’t had a similar experience, all they could do was listen to Benedict’s story. In the end, Benedict found love and support in his new friends because he got to share his story, and they listened.
Standing Under?
Might standing under something or someone help us to truly understand? When we stand under we change our perspective, we look at situations differently. Too often we are tempted to hover over a situation from a vantage point where we can find ourselves casting judgment, jumping to conclusions, and sometimes even getting in the way rather than being of help. Other times we are so engrossed in the “busyness” of our lives, our tasks, our duties, our desires, that we have only peripheral glances of another’s experiences, struggles, difficulties, or place in the world.
Do We Really?
Sometimes, in an effort to console another, we might use the phrase, “I understand what you are going through.” Through past experiences we may have some knowledge of similar circumstances which can be helpful, but can we ever completely understand the place and situation of another? We may be able to sympathize or possibly even empathize with another, but we never really stand in their shoes. We may be able to relate to another’s feelings in some way, but because we are individuals, we don’t all think and feel in exactly the same way.
This week, try to think about truly understanding someone's perspective or needs, and share that experience with your child. They will emulate you the next time they need to use some understanding.
See you next week and thanks for being a Good Egg!
Wishing you all GOOD things,
Sandy
