Called Work/Study Program

The kids might work 1/2 day, then attend class. Still have homework. Also, I'm flexible. I don't want to damn anyone to his father's destiny, so your dad could also make a deal to let you go visit the blacksmith for a month or two, while his son does a stint as a Jr. Deputy. It was called apprenticeship 100 years ago. Now the software developer's son gets to spend a day at the jeweler's, the A/C guy, the plumber, the locksmith, etc.

But, the idea is to introduce work to children at a much earlier age, so they understand that Adam, in the garden of Eden doomed us to the following (Genesis 3:17-19)

"Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
Both thorns and thistles it shall
bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread,
Until you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return."

Work isn't supposed to be easy, but hard. Actually, in this generation, work has been easier than it ever has been physically.

But, also, as our leadership has sold out their principles and morals for theft, and lying, work has become very hard. We are reaping what the "baby boomer" generation sowed, by leaving the morals and ethics and 'doing their own thing'.

Work/study is a start of that. Instead of protesting on college campuses, kids need to learn the value of a good day's labor.

'Work' does not seem to me to be about those allegorical thorns. I'll put up Jos Campbell over the anonymous Puritannical authoring-committee you quote -- such as created a huge group of folks constantly engaged in judging the Worthiness of their fellows (completely missing that beam while zooming in on the mote.. yada yada) I encounter few who actually grok that (quite ancient) metaphor of the Garden - and the symbology of 'knowledge' and 'duality'. Most take it Literally. And you can't do a thing with that Literal - except suffer endless imaginations. And infect a whole new generation. as since the very first Misunderstanding.

If your 'work' is in an area you love - then it is neither thorn-filled nor demeaning. Perpetual punishment for allegorical 'crimes' is one Hell of an alternative to, follow your bliss. (And bliss has little to do with 'pleasure' - as the doggerel so often confuses). Those thorns go with the Shmoo analogy too: born ~~pregnant~~ Guilty! No dice on that lugubrious fantasy, here. It has led to all those wars - begun by those who can't manage metaphor for what it Is.

Besides, all past 'works' which we remember, celebrate today -- were done by folks who did what they did for love of the task (sometimes aided by their realizing that it also helped one's fellow ~~Judges~~ homo-saps). I believe that it is realizing this.. what it feels like to Love what your work is - that's what adults are obliged to demonstrate to their kids. Pref by example. [Rilly Hard that last, from a cubical cubicle - I wot]

Cheers, luck to the kids! They'll need a lot of that - headed lately as they are, to become cannon fodder before they can even become disillusioned first, with just bizness aggression.

Ashton

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