“2 - 4 - 6 - 8 Who do we appreciate?” This cheer reminds me of junior high cheerleaders (Go Liberty Patriots)! Junior High cheerleading reminds me of pyramids! Pyramids remind me of my sweet friend, who is almost my age, who likes to do pyramids wherever she goes! Seriously, we were at a college baseball game and with a little convincing, all the moms and girlfriends did a pyramid after we won the game! It was hilarious!
Pyramids just make people smile. I cracked up and called a bottom spot as soon as we got permission from “someone” important to go out on the field and set it up. There were about 25 of us so it really wasn’t a tall pyramid as much as it was a long two person high and lots of people standing around pyramid. But it was fun and we all were laughing while the college boys and dads were just shaking their heads.
When I think about the structure and creating the actual shape of a pyramid, I think about an activity we did in my class. It was called straw towers. Each group (4-5 kids) was given straws and tape. The rules were simply to build the highest freestanding tower in the time allotted. I would give the kiddos 1 minute planning time and then say ‘GO!”
After a couple of minutes I would make the oldest and youngest build without talking while the others could only instruct the builders what to do. After a couple of minutes I would switch it. With about 10 minutes left, the instructions were that no one could talk and everyone had to build. Finally, with 5 minutes left I said everyone could communicate and build. It was certainly a fun chaotic mess that was going on. I counted down from 10… “9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 BACK AWAY FROM YOUR TOWER!”
It was hilarious to see the towers and the differences. Some would fall over immediately because they would build them up with single straws too soon! The ones that were easily moved and wouldn’t fall over had one thing in common - the base! The foundation of a structure is essential to its growth. We would process the activity and relate it to life!
We are all trying to move in an upward direction each day in our lives aren’t we? But as we get older, some will go out on their own earlier than others, not relying on their bases/foundations in life. These are the towers (people) that most likely fall first.The important thing is that no matter what it is -our faith, family, mentors, friends- that our base is solid, will support us and can handle the weight and direction that life puts on us as we grow upward.
Do you have a solid base that you can go back and rely on when you need some support? Who is it? What is it about your foundation that will help you grow?
When was the last time you participated in a real life pyramid - or have you ever? The next time you are with a bunch of people, surprise everyone and organize some fun! BUILD A PYRAMID! I dare you!
This post is dedicated to my sweet pyramid organizer friend who brings fun wherever she goes AND has an amazing “base” who will support and do anything for her in her life!