Lesson ideas

[LA Ute]

I have 20 minutes of a lesson tomorrow with the combined YM and YW of our ward. It's a back-to-school lesson. My assigned topic: "Balancing Everything." I'm supposed to cover how to balance school, seminary, church, extracurricular activities, and personal activities (dating, hobbies, reading, fun in general, etc.)

Our kids are of all races and backgrounds, religiously end economically. They are pretty tight-knit and supportive of each other as a group and are very small (religious) minorities in their respective middle and high schools. I have lots of ideas about this lesson but am looking for activities, games, stories, anything to help make this a fun and memorable lesson. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm especially interested in a good story.

[PaloAltoCougar]

An analogy I like to use is the example given by a friend, a UA pilot. Although GPS systems have probably changed this somewhat, commercial airliners for many years used transponders that zeroed in on the destination. Frequently throughout a transcontinental trip, the aircraft would tune in on the destination's "beacon" and corrects its course accordingly. And yet, 90% of the time a commercial aircraft is actually off course, not by a lot, but enough that frequent course corrections are needed.

Everyone has lots of distractions (sports, music, whatever), most of which are actually very good. But total focus on any one of them would take one away from more important, longer term goals (in this case, eternal life, but for the RFs and SUs of the world, I'll broaden it to make the more important goal that of becoming a truly good, well-rounded and giving person).

Have fun with sports or whatever activities you wish to pursue, but don't lose sight of your eternal destination. Check in frequently with your spiritual transponder (personal reflection, study, meditation, prayer...). And enjoy the flight.

[LA Ute]

An analogy I like to use is the example given by a friend, a UA pilot. Although GPS systems have probably changed this somewhat, commercial airliners for many years used transponders that zeroed in on the destination. Frequently throughout a transcontinental trip, the aircraft would tune in on the destination's "beacon" and corrects its course accordingly. And yet, 90% of the time a commercial aircraft is actually off course, not by a lot, but enough that frequent course corrections are needed.

Everyone has lots of distractions (sports, music, whatever), most of which are actually very good. But total focus on any one of them would take one away from more important, longer term goals (in this case, eternal life, but for the RFs and SUs of the world, I'll broaden it to make the more important goal that of becoming a truly good, well-rounded and giving person).

Have fun with sports or whatever activities you wish to pursue, but don't lose sight of your eternal destination. Check in frequently with your spiritual transponder (personal reflection, study, meditation, prayer...). And enjoy the flight.

OK, that's one's in. Thanks. This lesson's a little more difficult for some reason.

[CardiacCoug]

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=7087

This talk by Elder Oaks has some nice thoughts and analogies about how to avoid getting "out of balance."

[TripletDaddy]

I did an object lesson with the priests a couple of years ago on this very topic. It was a lot of fun and it involved some pretty basic physics.

After talking a bit about finding balance when we feel overwhelmed, etc.....I basically did that old trick where you balance a spoon and fork on the edge of a glass using only a thin toothpick. Has everyone seen this trick before? It is very cool.

After you get it to balance and they boys are somewhat impressed, then you really drive the point home....you take a small lighter or match and burn the off-end of the toothpick, totally blowing their minds.

You finish up discussing our ability to balance things even when it seems impossible, etc....

One risk in doing this is that one kid will ask and you will have to admit that the reason you have a lighter is because you smoke every now and then to take the edge off or to relax with friends.

[youtube]czsoNaf4MeY[/youtube]

[LA Ute]

I am starting to feel very glad that I posted this request. Thanks, TD, that is one amazing trick. And Cardiac, I'll use the Oaks talk too (keeping in mind I'll have 12 year-olds in the group).

This CUF thing is turning out to be kind of cool . . . .

[All-American]

I think we don't really have the right idea in mind when we think of balance. Balancing two forks with a toothpick on the edge of a glass isn't really what I'd want my life to be like, liable to collapse at the slightest gust of wind.

What we really want is stability. Balance is important, but only as it contributes to stability. The most stable man-made structures in history are the pyramids. They were over a thousand years old when Moses left Egypt, and even into the 19th century, they were the world's tallest man-made structures. It is a balanced structure, of course-- a building that isn't balanced is not going to last. But it keeps that balance because of its foundation.

The key to achieving long-lasting balance is having a sure and steady foundation. You know what is important to you, you know what you want in life, and you know the appropriate place for each of those things.

[LA Ute]

I think we don't really have the right idea in mind when we think of balance. Balancing two forks with a toothpick on the edge of a glass isn't really what I'd want my life to be like, liable to collapse at the slightest gust of wind.

What we really want is stability. Balance is important, but only as it contributes to stability. The most stable man-made structures in history are the pyramids. They were over a thousand years old when Moses left Egypt, and even into the 19th century, they were the world's tallest man-made structures. It is a balanced structure, of course-- a building that isn't balanced is not going to last. But it keeps that balance because of its foundation.

The key to achieving long-lasting balance is having a sure and steady foundation. You know what is important to you, you know what you want in life, and you know the appropriate place for each of those things.

Also very good. Thanks a bunch. The fork-balancing trick stays in, though. Teen-age class, you know. When discussing esoteric topics like balance and stability with them, the EGO* phenomenon is my greatest fear.

Have you started classes yet?

____________________
*Eyes Glazing Over.

[Guest]

Every year an alpine club publishes a journal titled, Accidents in North American Mountaineering. It chronicles climbing accidents in the US and Canada. For each accident it describes what when wrong, lessons learned, etc.

Many of the non-technical accidents are a result of climbers falling while crossing snowfields and glaciers while not "walking in balance". Walking in balance sounds self explanatory, but there are techniques for it which can increase your safety while on a mountain.

The bible of modern mountaineering is Mountaineering: Freedom from the Hills. It describes a few areas of focus for climbing efficiently: Focus on speed and safety (accomplish tasks with speed and efficiency, the less time exposed to risk the better), Climb with your eyes (observe well before you step), Use footwork (good footwork gives you good balance), Maintain three points of contact (keep three points weighted on the rock at any given time) and Check for lose holds (test risky holds before giving them your full weight).

On more difficult climbs, you cannot always keep three points in contact with the rock. There may only be one or two sound holds, and you will use your body positioning to maintain a delicate balance over those holds. Regardless of the number of points you do have in contact, however, the same principle of balance applies; Keep your weight over your holds.

Successful balance comes from keeping your weight (efforts) on the sure holds.

[All-American]

Also very good. Thanks a bunch. The fork-balancing trick stays in, though. Teen-age class, you know. When discussing esoteric topics like balance and stability with them, the EGO* phenomenon is my greatest fear.

Have you started classes yet?

____________________
*Eyes Glazing Over.

Not until September 23.

[Hallelujah]

An analogy I like to use is the example given by a friend, a UA pilot. Although GPS systems have probably changed this somewhat, commercial airliners for many years used transponders that zeroed in on the destination. Frequently throughout a transcontinental trip, the aircraft would tune in on the destination's "beacon" and corrects its course accordingly. And yet, 90% of the time a commercial aircraft is actually off course, not by a lot, but enough that frequent course corrections are needed.

Everyone has lots of distractions (sports, music, whatever), most of which are actually very good. But total focus on any one of them would take one away from more important, longer term goals (in this case, eternal life, but for the RFs and SUs of the world, I'll broaden it to make the more important goal that of becoming a truly good, well-rounded and giving person).

Have fun with sports or whatever activities you wish to pursue, but don't lose sight of your eternal destination. Check in frequently with your spiritual transponder (personal reflection, study, meditation, prayer...). And enjoy the flight.

A real easy beacon to follow on a daily basis: 1) Read the Scriptures; 2) Pray; 3) Ponder; 4) Act of service. That will help kids keep an eye on the 'beacon'. Make a monthly checkoff list and the kids can mark their progress daily.

[TripletDaddy]

I think we don't really have the right idea in mind when we think of balance. Balancing two forks with a toothpick on the edge of a glass isn't really what I'd want my life to be like, liable to collapse at the slightest gust of wind.

What we really want is stability. Balance is important, but only as it contributes to stability. The most stable man-made structures in history are the pyramids. They were over a thousand years old when Moses left Egypt, and even into the 19th century, they were the world's tallest man-made structures. It is a balanced structure, of course-- a building that isn't balanced is not going to last. But it keeps that balance because of its foundation.

The key to achieving long-lasting balance is having a sure and steady foundation. You know what is important to you, you know what you want in life, and you know the appropriate place for each of those things.

you obviously have a lot of experience teaching the youth! 15 year old boys would much rather hear a talk on Egyptology that to burn toothpicks and matches.

[Hallelujah]

you obviously have a lot of experience teaching the youth! 15 year old boys would much rather hear a talk on Egyptology that to burn toothpicks and matches.

Wrong. 15 year olds are pyros.

[TripletDaddy]

Wrong. 15 year olds are pyros.

Are you sure? I would imagine 15 year old boys crave long lectures, esp re: architecture. I wonder if there is a way to work in a reference to the Roman aqueducts? I am going to see if I still have my old overhead slides laying around.....

[LA Ute]

So, DDD - how long did it take you to master getting the forks to balance? I am not having much success so far. Maybe I'll just show the kids the video. Lame, I know . . . .