Here's a summary of three new family attitudes

Over the last three weeks, we have proposed serendipity as an alternative to control, stewardship as an alternative to ownership, and "synergicity" as an alternative to independence. While we are all for control, ownership and independence as economic and political principles, we believe that when it comes to the personal spiritual standards by which we live and through which we view the world, serendipity, stewardship and synergicity are much better and produce greater happiness. They also make us better and more caring (and more inspired) parents. We call these three 11-letter "S" words the Three Alternatives to the Three Deceivers.

Today's short poem is an attempt to summarize the differences between living life by the three deceivers and living life by the three alternatives. Neither way is bad; it's just that we think one way is better than the other.

TWO WAYS TO LIVE, LOVE, THINK AND THANK

Living, Type A

Be proactive, be in charge, be self-confident,

Take control of your life.

Depend on yourself and go get the things you want.

Act, don't react.

Plan your work, then work your plan.

Only you can know what you want,

And only you can decide what your life will be.

Set your goals, make your plans and let no one change them

Or stand in your way.

Cultivate strength and knowledge,

For these are the differences between man and Maker.

View your life as a series of competitions that you hope to win,

And as an ongoing effort to prove yourself,

And rise above your rivals.

Understand that achievements are life's measure,

And wrap your identity in positions and possessions.

Acquire, Achieve, Accumulate, Accomplish, Attain!

Let the "W&P" phrases be your guide:

Work and Plan

Will and Purpose

Winning and Pride

Worry and Pursuit

Wealth and Power