Deep Thoughts

Well, as deep as I can get! I have been taking a Critical Reading class and our study manual is a book called Becoming A Critical Thinker. The first chapter went over the definition of a critical thinker("someone who uses specific criteria to evaluate reasoning, form positions, and make decisions"), the structure of argument, issue, conclusion, reasons, and decision making. It was a good chapter and I did well on the test.

We are now on chapter two, Values and Ethics, and I am just fascinated! It talks about how our values influence the decisions we make and how we can tell what other peoples values and priorities are through their actions and positions they take on certain issues. Being raised LDS I have always known that having good values and making good choices is important, but I am constantly trying to come up with ways to make sure I instill good values into my children and possibly preventing them from making painful mistakes. Vince and I are on the verge of having teenagers and it scares us to death, so we openly talk with them and let them know what we expect of them and more importantly what God expects.

In the book there is a conversation between Dr. Laura Schlessinger and a 21 year old woman, Stephanie. The woman is a virgin and planned to stay that way until married. She meets a hot guy and temptations start. She thought her values would automatically protect her, but found this was not so and was starting to doubt her decision about waiting. Dr. Laura had a lengthy conversation with this young lady and this is the part I loved: "Values only have the power you infuse into them with your respect for them and yourself, and your will. Values without temptations are merely lofty ideas. Expediting them is what makes you, and them, special." I love this! Until we are tested by temptations, our values are ideals. Once we have the chance to put these values into play, then these values turn into integrity, a very admirable quality. Overcoming temptation is not easy. It "requires grit, will, sacrifice, courage, and discomfort." Stephanie then asks, "what if I'm too weak?" Dr. Laura answered, "the road to unhappiness and low self-esteem is paved with victories of immediate gratification." I think Dr. Laura's advise was well put. If we could get our children to understand these concepts and be proud of who they are and what they stand for, even when everyone else is doing the cool thing, they will be in good shape in good shape!