EQ and SQ - equal to IQ - really?

Some focus on the intellectual readiness (Academic IQ) for young people to have college be a possibility. We have found two other equally important areas of readines.

Since 1973 we have engaged with over 160,000 young people and young adults (13 through their 30s) in Public Schools, Neighborhood Networking, retreats and workshops.

The two areas are Emotional IQ and Spiritual IQ. We have worked in Detroit MI, Chicago IL San Antonio TX, Tucson AZ, New Orleans LA and Marion County OR.

• Emotional IQ - awakened an awareness within 8th through 12th graders of the fact that the way they see people and challenges brings on to them a feeling they like or dislike. Left to itself, the feeling will lead them to do and say positive or negative actions and words. They will get what their actions and words trigger in others.
• Spiritual IQ - expands young adults from 18 through their 30s to embraces diversity among people, cultures, creeds, socio-educational-economic situations. Through ways of reflecting and acting ways of growing through the discipline of forgiving invites reconciliation. It confronts to the core the roots of any addictive way of life.

To know more about our ways of awakening and expanding, look us up on the web - http://www.lifedirections.org/ or e-mail me at jphelps@lifedirections.org

Fr. John Phelps, C.Ss.R. - President and CEO of Life Directions

Three Kings - a custom to encourage giving what we value

One aspect of the "Three-kings tradition" centers on children believing their talents are the gifts the Creator wants others to receive.

Young people have the talents that their peers need to become full people. Those who need their talents in turn need to receive talents from those to whom they give.

A simple example - people who are outgoing give to those who are hesitant the talent of courage. As they do so, the hesitant give the talent of thinking about consequences before jumping into things.

As we move toward the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., we ask the question of the young people we serve - when Martin shared his talent to speak, what a gift he received from his partnership with people who listened to those who were poor. Which of the two talents come naturally to you and will you share what you have to give and will be willing to receive what others have to share with you?