The Daily Dad Teach Them To Look for the Smooth Handle
Feb 11, 2022
Discover how to instill a positive perspective in your kids. Learn the importance of guiding them to view challenges constructively. Inspired by Thomas Jefferson, this discussion emphasizes finding the 'smooth handle' in every situation. It’s about turning obstacles into opportunities and nurturing resilience in children.
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Jefferson's Advice
- Thomas Jefferson offered his granddaughter 12 rules for living, including "take things always by their smooth handle."
- This rule, inspired by Epictetus, encourages focusing on the positive aspects of situations.
Look for the Smooth Handle
- Teach children to view situations from multiple perspectives, identifying both the rough and smooth aspects.
- Encourage them to choose the "smooth handle," focusing on the positive and constructive approach.
Epictetus's Handles
- Epictetus used the analogy of two handles to illustrate how to approach challenging events.
- He advised choosing the handle that allows one to carry or manage the situation effectively, not the one that makes it unbearable.