Finding Healing Through Reading the Classics
My 4th grader is reading A Dangerous Journey (an abridged version of Pilgrim's Progress)
In this story, the main character is carrying a heavy backpack which he calls his "burdens"
He carries it everywhere & complains of it often
I explained the story is an allegory so it's not literally true but has a deeper meaning
I asked her what does this backpack represent? To my surprise she quickly said "his worries"
You see she has had her fair share of worries (a big reason we homeschool) so perhaps she related
Later, the narrator explains that if he is to rid himself of his burden he must first DECIDE to do so
We discussed that disliking your worries doesn't make them go away You have to decide, with firm intention, that you wish to be rid of them. Then, and only then, can you rid yourself of these worries
Every morning before we start our school day, we set intentions for the day I ask my kids to let go of a self-limiting belief example: "I get overwhelmed easily" or "I'm not smart if I get something wrong"
Much like the main character of A Dangerous Journey, I ask them to let go of their worries
Today, our intentions & reading became one
THIS is why we read classics
Because they are wise
And today they were healing
~Claire Honeycutt
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