The World Had Been Waiting Centuries For Someone Like You

Ignoring "Maybe"

This entire book is filled with significance. One of my favorite authors, Kobi Yamada, opens wide a door of possibility. He leaves the reader curious about how significant an impact they will make while in this world. 

 Maybe the world has been waiting centuries for someone like you.

Truly, the world has been waiting centuries for someone like you! Waiting for someone like each one of the children on this planet! Imagine the impact our youth would have if they owned this truth. 

Unfortunately, maybe is being ignored. 

What they might accomplish, achieve, or who they might become is overshadowed by present day tasks and responsibilities that are disconnected from a "picture of a special future".

Is it really about them getting A's in school? About them excelling with an instrument? In a sport? As an artist?

No.

It is not about their excellence today. It is about how their experiences today will contribute to their impact tomorrow. 

My son is not an academic, my daughter is. My daughter is not a natural athlete, my son is.

Regardless of where they excel, their potential to impact this world is equally grand. Their unique gifts, strengths, and interests help me to instill in them a "picture of a special future". 

A Picture of a Special Future

Kobi Yamada exemplifies what I try to instill in every child we have the pleasure of working with, including my own. 

They are not here on this earth to get good grades, to become a soccer star, or an exemplary musician. They are here to absorb as much growth and development as they can in order to provide the greatest impact possible. 

When we share future possibilities with our children, they become motivated to bring them to fruition. Additionally, we teach them to visualize their future potential as well. 

How are you helping your children to realize a picture of their special future? Does this picture go past their current school year? Calendar year? 

Do they see their unique gifts and strengths and connect them to their potential for impact now?

Illustration and words from Kobi Ymada's children's book, Maybe

Encourage Children To Do Big Things

My daughter is 13. She is a pianist, a cellist, a basketball and lacrosse player, an artist, an innovator, and a leader. 

Despite all these wonderful gifts and qualities in her, nothing brings her more joy than working with young children. She comes alive when she is put in a role to care for or teach "littles". 

She has wanted to be a teacher since she was two years old and has not wavered from this for a moment. 

Her future is undoubtably special. 

However, she is not waiting for her future to use her gifts. She is actively using her gifts now to impact the world. She has everything it takes to do big things. 

Aside from babysitting, she looks for any opportunity to work with children. She has organized and led a week-long camp for kids and consistently volunteers at our church's children's ministry.

Despite all of this, I am sure she does not know how much she truly matters. This book has prompted me to remind her and her brother everyday. 

Do Your Children Know How Much They Matter?​

Kobi Yamada, uses Maybe to deepen readers' curiosity about themselves, their purpose, and their potential. He presents many valuable life lessons within this short book that should be adopted and exemplified in each person's life.

Your children matter! 

It is up to us - parents, educators, and school leaders - to instill this message in our children. 

We have a responsibility to remind children daily how much they matter. If we do this, then maybe their "picture of a special future" will become a reality. And maybe, their future reality will change the world. 

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​Written by: Michelle Goldshlag, CEO Cultured Kids