August 18, 2009
The Power of Parents
Here I sit in
the green rocking chair on the 'poch' (as Mainers would pronounce), overlooking
Rangeley Lake. Our camp (another local term for a lakeside cabin) has been in
my family for 5 generations and I have spent a part of every summer here for 37
years. In 1969, my parents honeymooned here, in 2003 my husband and I got
married here, and in 2005 my brother and his wife also married here. Each morning
I awake to the lake with my favorite Loons calling to one another. It is a
place where all of my masks, pretenses, and efforts fall away. It is a place
where my authentic self emerges and receives nourishment. It is a place where I
cleanse my mind and thoughts, allowing anything that is limiting me to be
released in the water and in the trees that surround me. It truly is a sacred
place.
This weekend,
I observe the mystery of time, the healing in forgiveness, and the power of
parents. My parents shaped our values,
encouraged our love for nature, formulated our work ethic, and set the
foundation of who my brother and I are today. After sharing a life together for
more than 33 years and being divorced for 13 years, my parents are still able
to share in the magic and wonder that our camp has always provided. Despite
their differences, past hurts, anger, and resentments, they both have come to a
place within themselves that is able to forgive and accept. This place of
forgiveness and acceptance allows them both to share this weekend with their
children (my brother and I) and grandchildren - together and alone. I marvel at
this gift. I thank them for this gift. The little girl in me feels nourished
and nurtured with both of them present.
Their
presence calls forth a deeper understanding of the power of parents and invites
me to contemplate the values and lessons I will pass on to my child. I realize
how important it is to accept our differences, especially when it comes to caring
for our children. I clearly see the impact our parents have on shaping our behaviors,
beliefs, and traditions. I recognize that the foundational values that my
parents passed on created different interpretations and paths for my my brother
and I.
The opportunity
that we all have is to live our life more consciously and deliberately. One way
we can do this is by becoming more aware of the values that have been passed
along our lineage lines and question whether we want to pass them along
ourselves. This week, I invite you to
join me in contemplating the power of parents by investigating:
-
What values
did your parents teach you?
-
What are the 3 most important values
you want to teach your children?
-
Are you currently living in
alignment with those values (for yourself and others)?
BELIEVE in the possible. CREATE the possible. LIVE the possible. |
