“Zip it, Culture! I'm not listening to you! I am most free when I trust what is true. I am an elephant, that's plain to see. From this point on, I’ll enjoy being me.”
– Elephants Are Not Birds
The feeling that the grass is always greener on the other side, is a common emotion experienced by most of us at one time or another. It was the Greek poet, Ovid, who first coined the phrase, “The harvest is always richer in another man’s field”. And so it is, another man’s life often seems better than our own, without conflict, struggle, or uncertainty.
In Ashley St. Clair’s, 2021 book, “Elephants Are Not Birds”, St. Clair tells the story of a confused elephant who believes the only way he can sing all day, is to become a bird. Yet, when it really mattered, his size and strength were what was needed to save the day. Suitable for children ages 4-12, St. Clair’s tale shows why it is always best to play to our strengths and appreciate the talents and abilities that God gave us. “Elephants Are Not Birds” was the launch book of publisher BRAVE Books, which debuted in 2021.
To push back on the creeping effects of modern censorship, a new faith-based publishing company, BRAVE Books, began to partner with conservative Christians to create stories about traditional values, countering a progressive agenda deemed harmful to children and the country. Every month, a new children’s book is released highlighting prominent authors including actor Kirk Cameron, Congressman Dan Crenshaw, and surfer Bethany Hamilton.
Not only are we each born with a unique set of fingerprints, but no two people are alike based on their experiences in life. Nonetheless, it is human nature to compare ourselves to others and gauge our success against others' accomplishments. It was Theodore Roosevelt who said it best when he opined, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. By focusing on others, we neglect important assets that are uniquely ours, skills that we may be unaware of, or believe to be unimportant. Then when life seems mundane and unremarkable, we are most at risk of wanting to be like someone else. Unfortunately, there are those who stand ready to exploit these vulnerabilities.
Teen years are a time of great angst when we feel most uncomfortable in our own skin and seem to require constant confirmation as we try to fit in with our peers. In today’s world, where a lot of attention is paid to the newest and shiniest cultural fad, children have become susceptible to the idea of gender fluidity and transgenderism. Even the slightest feeling of detachment may cause a child to question if they would be better off as the opposite gender. With high percentages of children claiming to be transsexual, caution is needed. Instead, new practices in psychology call for affirmation care rather than the traditional method of watchful waiting, where treatment is delayed while the patient seeks further understanding of their medical or mental disorder. In transgender-affirming cases, once the physical interventions begin, the damage is done, with often, irreversible effects.
We all know the folly of trying to push a square peg through a round hole. Not only is it futile to try, but its results can be catastrophic. When life is full of doubt and despair, it is always easy to assume that others are living happier and more fulfilled lives than we are. In 1924, the modern iteration of the greener grass was updated in a folk song: “The grass is always greener in the other fellow’s yard. The little row, we have to hoe, oh boy that’s hard. But if we all could wear green glasses now, it wouldn’t be so hard. To see how green the grass is, in our own backyard.” Our children deserve better.
Comments