Issue 18.13
Lighten up can mean different things: not taking life so seriously and/or getting rid of burdens that don’t need to be carried on your own shoulders. As a parent, many of us feel that you are responsible for your child or grandchild’s happiness and progress in life. That’s a heavy burden to carry and can sidetrack you from focusing on your own growth and development after your children become adults. There comes a time of LETTING GO after you’ve done your best to prepare your progeny for life’s trials and responsibilities. You don’t reject your adult son or daughter, but give them space, encouragement and emotional support while resisting the temptation to jump in and RESCUE them.
Too many parents try to live through their adult offspring rather than taking the time to develop their own interests, friends and talents. Being a cheerleader for them is important, but it’s not necessary to get on the field and play their game. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 in the bible says… To everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Understanding where you are in TIME is important. The burdens you carry can be magnified if you add your descendents’ worries also. Allow them to feel the weight of their challenges, while you advise (when asked) and encourage their efforts. Let them do the growing and struggling while you set the example of how to live life, hopefully cheerfully with positive energy for the great opportunities that are before each of us during our precious time on earth. NEXT TIME: Carpe per diem. It’s not too late to write your life story if you’re still alive and kicking. Purchase Lin’s book: Find Your Voice: Write Your Life Story. Ideas on how to start, edit and publish your experiences. Second edition available for $12, contact lin at sunrivertoday dot com or call 628-8522 today.