Savannah, now that you’re 11, there are two things in life
that I want you to begin practicing:
First is to continue to think for yourself. Just because everyone else is doing or
thinking something doesn’t make it right? In fact, quite often it makes it
wrong? I want you to trust that little
inner voice (your intuition) when you’re thinking for yourself too? It is
something that, as you age, people will try to tell you to ignore (so that you
can listen to what “they” are saying.) The reality is that voice is there for a
reason? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and listen to that voice!
Secondly I want you to become comfortable taking educated
risks once you’ve mastered the above? Anytime we (you, me or anyone else)
takes a risk, disappointment can and will happen! It’s as inevitable as death
and taxes. I know I’m guilty at times of
saying that I hate to see you sad or disappointed and it **is** hard because you’re
so precious to me? And, often I’ve been guilty of trying to make you feel better
by pointing out that a situation was unfair and you’re smarter or more talented
than that? While that is truth…
The reality is we grow and learn through struggle, so it’s
not like I don’t want you to struggle? I hope that makes sense? See, I know I appreciate being a parent more
because it was a tough road having you.
And I know we will appreciate our house more one day because we are
sacrificing for it now! And, at a point in my life I kind-of took for granted
having a nice house. When we are humbled,
we’re a bit more appreciative honestly?
It’s like if you have every gadget known to man you’re never really happy
until you get the next gadget? You’re always chasing that next thing instead of
enjoying what’s in front of you? Struggle helps you learn to be happy with what
you have, instead of what you want….risk helps you find really high peaks of
success as well as some struggle to keep you humble. Sometimes
God sends us some humbling times to help us grow in our faith and in our
appreciation. That pride you feel when
you’ve earned an archery medal or a really good grade on a test is there
because you’ve sacrificed for them? You’ve
practiced and studied and it wouldn’t be the same if those things were just
given to you? If you never took a chance / tried out for them you wouldn’t
have those experiences either? The truth is risking failure helps you find success. If you never try, you never know greatness?
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes those risks can get you into
trouble (remember the food fight discussion), but if you use number one above
when deciding about the risk then you’ll be okay? And even if it’s not okay and
you get in trouble, you’ll own your decision. If you can do those two things
with ownership, when you get to the dark side of your 40’s like I am, I
guarantee you’ll have fewer regrets? I know I do! I love you!
Mom ♥
