I read this great blog post from Chris Brogan about his daughter, Violette’s, birthday and all he’d learned from her. I love the freedom Chris, as a father, gives his children to be who they are – whatever that looks like. What a valuable gift to be given at a young age.
Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all started our lives being free to be fully who we are and nothing ever crushed that? Would the world be a happier place, full of people doing exactly what they want to do with their life? Is it possible? Would we all appreciate someone else’s opportunity to be who they want to be, even if it didn’t match our own ideals?
What would you be today, if no one had ever told you anything other than to “go for it!”?? Where would you be today and what can you do now to get there…because it’s never too late?
Thanks for the reminder about Chris. He’s a good one! I choked up a bit reading that. I think we all really want for our kids to be happy and confident and successful in their own right. When they struggle, we are pained. Sometimes it seems like the umbilical cord never really breaks completely, but as she gets older (middle school!) I am having to remember to give her the space to figure it out herself. That is especially happening a lot this week as she is figuring out new lockers and more classes and more homework… but it was such a thrill when she came home yesterday THRILLED after starting at her new school. She was so happy and it made me happy!
I could not tell you what my life would be like if the only thing I heard was “go for it”, but I can say that my parents taught me lots of wonderful things. Most importantly, they taught me to question. They taught me that I can believe whatever I want to believe and that it is OK. This has served me well.
Thinking of my daughter, I could certainly tell her to “go for it” more often than I do! lol…
I think we could all tell everyone around us “go for it” more than we do:) Including telling ourselves! I’m glad she had a great day and I’m sure she’ll do well. You are an awesome mom!