Optimists achieve more than pessimists.  They live longer.  They are happier.  These facts come from a book “The Mind Gym” written, somewhat confusingly, by an organization also called The Mind Gym.  Worth reading.

So a full life is partly about attitude.  A belief that you can, it’s worth trying, failure doesn’t hurt too much.

And it’s partly about simply trying things.  Lots of things.  Everything.  Auntie Mame in the film of that name had a wonderful credo – “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death”. 

Introduce your kids to life’s banquet by giving them some tools and some experiences.  For example:-

• Driving (and safe driving) allows them to explore
• Foreign travel expands horizons ….
• ….. and some foreign languages allow them to explore cultural differences
• Eating out and some knowledge of wine are always useful
• Cultural activities – art, theatre, books, opera, cinema, music – can do no harm
• Encourage hobbies and interests – it doesn’t really matter what.