The 7 Wonders of Your Town

When I was a high school English teacher, one of my greatest joys was getting to know each of my students individually.  I loved learning about their families, their passions, and their hopes and dreams.  English was perfect for me, because we’d draw from personal stories while discussing academic content.

There was a freshman named Chris who sat in the front row.  I’ll never forget the discussion.  We were talking about a certain novel that was set in another country.  He raised his hand and proceeded to tell me that he was going to visit that place because his Dad was taking him to see the Seven Wonders of the World before graduating college.

I couldn’t believe it.  Hands down one of the coolest parenting ideas I’ve ever heard, and it has stuck with me.  This father was taking the time to do something different with his boys.  He was spending his resources and energy on something incredibly rewarding and memorable.  I have no doubt that made an indelible mark on those two souls.

While most of us financially cannot visit the Seven Wonders of the World, what we can do is visit the 7 Wonders of our Area.  There are so many amazing places right around us that we never take the time to see or visit.

We get in our routines and forget to enjoy our surroundings, which don’t require a plane ride or expensive hotels. When guests come to our area, we often want to show them all of these fun attractions.

Let’s not just do it when guests come.  Let’s enjoy our own areas as a family.

Fill this out at the dinner table and circle one on the list that you will commit to doing over the next month.  If you feel really ambitious, put all of them on the calendar.

Here is an easy way to put your plan into action.  

We make room for what we value and prioritize.  

Let’s make this happen by putting it on the calendar!  If all you can do is one, AWESOME.  If you want to do more, do it – plan the whole year!

You can download the “7 wonders of our area” sheet HERE: 7_PDF_wonders_of_our_area

You can download the planning sheet HERE: Wonders_PDF_Plan

This is part of the “Treat Your Family Like Guests” series.

If you just want to make a basic “adventure list,” and you don’t like the 7 wonders idea, this is for you!

You can download this HERE:  Planning_PDF_adventure

I’d love to hear.  What is one “wonder” in YOUR area?  

Where should I go if I come visit your town?