I believe our paths cross with others through Divine design. A few months ago, a woman reached out to me about a book she’d recently contributed to and she wondered (since she had heard I lead bimonthly book discussions about self-improvement and motivational titles), whether I would have interest in showcasing her book.
I thought it was wonderful of her to reach out to me and we immediately set up a time to get together over coffee. It turned out we had a great deal in common. Not only a love of writing and inspiring others, but also a sincere desire to help people attain their true potential.
Manu Shahi, my new friend, has been a Kumon instructor for the past nine years in Highland Village. She has also recently become a certified Zig Ziglar speaker, and is now leading 90-minute workshops for teenagers centered on topics such as self-image, relationship building, and goal setting.
I was invited to attend the initial workshop on self-image recently, and I have to say I was highly impressed with the material, the presentation, and by the dozen or more FMHS, Marcus, and college aged students who participated the day I was there.
Far from a boring 90-minute lecture about what self image is, what to do if your self-image is poor, and how to “get” better self-image, this is a very hands on program for adolescents ages thirteen and older to work individually and as a team through fun and interesting activities where they learn a lot about themselves and the other participants. Many of the kids who went through the first workshop spoke highly of the experience.
Our area school programs offer a lot in terms of academics, AP courses, extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, and the arts, but not enough information or time is spent on building life skills such as self image, the importance of connection with others, and the value in life outside of social media.
Manu will be offering additional workshops in the coming months at her Kumon classroom in Highland Village. I strongly recommend investigating the series for your son or daughter, since the culture were are living in (and raising our children in) bombards us daily with messages about what we should look like, act like, BE like, often promoting ideals about what we think we should be, rather than embracing who we truly are. These are big challenges for young people today. There is value in spending some quality time understanding we are not the labels our society projects onto us, we are not going to succeed without failure, and in the process of building character we need to concentrate on our inside just as readily, if not more often, than on our outward appearance and achievements.
To receive additional information about the program and its cost, to learn about upcoming workshop dates, or to enroll your child in the series, please check out Manu’s website at Manushahi.com or contact her at [email protected].
Kimberly Muench is a Flower Mound mother of five and author of “My Mothers Footprints: A story of Faith, Calm, Courage, Patience and Grace.” To see more of her work or to contact her, visit www.realifemom.com.
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