“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” -Tony Robbins
Raising teenagers is terrifying. Even when there appear to be no problems, I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. I know they are going to try stuff. I know they will make mistakes. No amount of rationalization or centering myself in the moment can completely eradicate the fear. They are the most precious things in my life. Not only do I wish to spare them of any and all sense of pain, fear, and lack, but I also hold myself accountable for their personal happiness and for the decisions they make. If only I could chain myself to them for the next 5 years, I could make SURE they were safe. But I can't. I can't and even if I could, that would rob them of some of the greatest opportunities of their lives: Life's greatest lessons delivered in bad decisions, ego bruising missteps, and broken hearts. As always, parents must toe a line between discipline, guidance, support, and -letting go. We must come to terms that it is not our plan that is unfolding before us. It is God's plan. Our children have their own journey and their own destination. So we take pride and joy for our small part in it. And we give thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment