Turning Obligation into Choice
A dear friend posted the following on Facebook this morning:
"You aren't obligated to be the mechanism by which others live satisfied lives." - Ashley Peacock
Let that sink in. Is it true? I think so. Furthermore, it isn't even possible for us to be the thing that makes someone else satisfied or happy. It would be an exercise in futility to try.
Another friend of Mr. Peacock then said, "Unless they're your kids?" This is a good question. Often, we think we have to be the means to our children's happiness or satisfaction. However, it isn't an obligation, is it? I replied by saying:
"Kids aren't an obligation. We choose to bring them into the world. We know they will always need our teaching and guidance, but we can't make them happy. All we can do is teach, guide, love and listen. The love is the reason. Not the obligation."
She agreed. I then added, "It's funny how our culture tells us that parenting is a sacrifice and that we're giving up our lives for our children. The reverse should be true. We choose to bring life into the world. It is our honor to nurture, protect and love the lives in our trust!"
Mr. Peacock replied, "And there you have it."
Facebook can be such an amazing way for us to connect, share and learn from one another. It is a tool that can be used for good, evil and everything in between. We definitely used it for good today. I'm very grateful to Ashley and his friend for inspiring this piece. Here are some questions:
Who are your trusted friends? Do they honor you? Do you honor that trust? Do you trust and honor yourself? Do you trust and honor your children? Can you turn 'obligation' into 'choice'? Then, can you turn 'choice' into honor?
I think I just did. Time to get to work on everything I just learned!
"You aren't obligated to be the mechanism by which others live satisfied lives." - Ashley Peacock
Let that sink in. Is it true? I think so. Furthermore, it isn't even possible for us to be the thing that makes someone else satisfied or happy. It would be an exercise in futility to try.
Another friend of Mr. Peacock then said, "Unless they're your kids?" This is a good question. Often, we think we have to be the means to our children's happiness or satisfaction. However, it isn't an obligation, is it? I replied by saying:
"Kids aren't an obligation. We choose to bring them into the world. We know they will always need our teaching and guidance, but we can't make them happy. All we can do is teach, guide, love and listen. The love is the reason. Not the obligation."
She agreed. I then added, "It's funny how our culture tells us that parenting is a sacrifice and that we're giving up our lives for our children. The reverse should be true. We choose to bring life into the world. It is our honor to nurture, protect and love the lives in our trust!"
Mr. Peacock replied, "And there you have it."
Facebook can be such an amazing way for us to connect, share and learn from one another. It is a tool that can be used for good, evil and everything in between. We definitely used it for good today. I'm very grateful to Ashley and his friend for inspiring this piece. Here are some questions:
Who are your trusted friends? Do they honor you? Do you honor that trust? Do you trust and honor yourself? Do you trust and honor your children? Can you turn 'obligation' into 'choice'? Then, can you turn 'choice' into honor?
I think I just did. Time to get to work on everything I just learned!
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