Success – Through Parenting
Or should we re-label that, success through what you are doing NOW. And if we are lucky enough to be parents how are we going to make sure that we really are parents to the degree that we find satisfaction and fulfillment in this wonderful and weighty task.
Success seems to be a big word these days – was it always like that?
We seem to be continually measuring and being measured, as though there is some distinct spot that we finally reach and we’ve ‘made it’. But where is that intriguing place that we are struggling to reach, why is the journey so stressful and why is it that nobody seems to find that feeling of elation when they get ‘there’? But these basic questions don’t seem to stop us. Searching to fill this yearning for accomplishment, this belief that there are better options elsewhere, we will dig for treasures everywhere besides our back yard.
How can we connect to our children if we have lost track of our inner selves? It is difficult to nurture settled, happy children if we feel disjointed as individuals and as parents.
There is a famous story of a wise sage who sees this person dashing about at the village fair, this way, that way, faster and faster. Stepping in front of him the wise sage questions;
‘Sir, where are you rushing so desperately?’
‘To make my living’, the man answers hurriedly.
‘Are you making a good living, is it working?’
‘Not at all, that’s why I’m rushing!’
‘Why not try slowing down?’ the wise sage advised ‘stay in one place for a moment, maybe your living is chasing you’.
Sure we need to work at things, but are we going to accept with the knowledge that we can excel in this, or are we going to go on a chase?
The old saying goes ‘Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans’.
True. We don’t always plan or imagine that our lives will be the way they are. But the question remains:
What are we going to do with that life? Continue making other plans?
Or are we going to accept graciously, with strength and commitment to do our very best. That is our choice.
Sometimes bringing up our children does not go as expected. There are challenges and it can be overwhelming. We can feel that it leaves us no time or space for anything else. Sometimes when we are struggling with a very difficult situation it is hard to believe that there could be any positive gain involved. Indeed at that point it is hard, maybe impossible to see it. What we need to do is involve others, build a support structure to nudge us on, to believe for us, to advise and inspire. By taking on each challenge we surprise ourselves with the strength we discover inside ourselves and others and from one success we gather strength to approach the next.
We don’t have a choice about what comes our way, but we do have the option to view it positively, to find the silver lining in this cloud.
They say every cloud has one… but don’t take anyone else’s word for it…there’s nothing like finding out for yourself!
Make no mistake about it. We can all succeed. It is rarely easy and sometimes it is outright tough. But if we search for solutions, sincerely, honestly seek out ways to move forward with confidence we will see great help from above. Then we will find that not only are we ‘successful’ in what we do, we also become more ‘successful’ people, more real, more understanding and more comfortable with our selves and others.
Tags: Accomplishment, Fulfillment, Happy Children, Parenting, parenting success, Parents, successful parenting, Wise Sage
