I am intrigued by out of the box thinking, mostly because I am a out of the box wannabe.
I am definitely NOT an in the box kind of girl - limitations and boundaries make me feel claustrophobic. However, I am sure that I am hindered by everyday, ordinary routines and structures, which make it easy to stay in the box, never venturing out into that realm of the exciting and creative unknown.
Lately, I read Randy Pausch's book The Last Lecture. Have you seen his last lecture? As he was suffering with terminal cancer, this inspirational and crazy intelligent man, gave his last lecture to his students at Carnegie Mellon. You can see it here.
I brought plenty away from his book, which is based on the lecture.
One thing that I'm trying to apply a little more liberally in my life and especially with my children is out of the box thinking.
Routine is great. Kids thrive on it.
But what is wrong with once in awhile...
Doing things differently.
Trying something new.
Being a nonconformist.
Encouraging innovation to solve problems.
Stepping out of that comfort zone.
Thinking out of the box.
Maybe making mistakes,
but then learning from them.
Thinking big!
Challenging the norm.
Creating new pathways.
Marching forth with creativity.
In my mind, these are all qualities of leaders. I know there's the big debate about leaders: are they born or made? But if there is any little way I can help my kids learn to think out of the box, well, I'm going to try it.
The kids wanted to paint the fort. With permanent paint. Ok... I must mentally let go of my
home looking perfect for the sake of creativity and plain old childhood memories.
(One chapter of The Last Lecture describes when Randy's parents allowed him to paint on the walls of his bedroom - pictures of whatever he wanted - in his case that was algebraic equations, but anyway, it inspired me!)
Go for it! I told the kids.
Luke says he wants to take a bath in the sink. Our kitchen sink. Well, it's big enough. Why not? Sorry you germophobes out there. The thought of a boy's bottom in the kitchen sink probably makes you want to scream, but hey, I'm thinking out of the box here! Give me a break. And he's going to outgrow that sink real soon. There won't be baths in the sink much longer. Better be out of the box while we still can.
So, tell me! Do you think in the box or out of the box? I'd love to hear some of your best out of the box mom moves. I'm still developing mine... so maybe I can think OUT OF THE BOX and use your moves on my own family! 
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