Bustin' It

I have discovered the best way to teach kids about what life is really about. It's called Mutton-Bustin' and every kid in America should be required to participate as part of their school curriculum. Here's how it works: Kids are given a vest and a helmet and put on the sheep. The gate is opened, the sheep runs out and the kid has to hang on for dear life. The longer the kid hangs on, the higher their score. They all eventually fall off and some land harder than others. So, how does this teach kids you ask. Well, here you go. (picture compliments of deadspin.com)

1) Some sheep are calm and some are wild and you never know what kind you're going to get. In life, we never know what kind of sheep we're going to have to ride.

2) You have to hold on as tightly as you can. Don't we all.

3) You'll always fall off, but you have to dust yourself off and get back on again. If you break something, you go to the doctor, get healed and then what? You get right back on! If every kid could learn this lesson, we'd be much better off.

4) Someone wins and someone loses. Yes, somebody's feelings will probably get hurt but that just makes you more determined to do better next time.

5) Everyone is rooting for you, especially your parents. Just go to one of these events and watch. There's no booing or jeering, just rooting and encouragement. And Mom and Dad are always right there, not to keep you from falling but to help support, motivate and love.

I could go on and on. I am now a big fan of mutton bustin' as an official class for kids in school. Think the liberals (ie teachers union) will go for it? No, they'll be too busy riding "It's A Small World".