# Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives

*Do not ask your children*

*to strive for extraordinary lives.* 

*Such striving may seem admirable,*

*but it is the way of foolishness.* 

*Help them instead to find the wonder*

*and the marvel of an ordinary life.* 

*Show them the joy of tasting* 

*tomatoes, apples and pears.* 

*Show them how to cry*

*when pets and people die.* 

*Show them the infinite pleasure*

*in the touch of a hand.* 

*And make the ordinary come alive for them.* 

*The extraordinary will take care of itself.*