When raised with fear and compliance as the tool to ensure good behaviour, or religious subscription, we create validation-seeking individuals whose willingness to compromise on what is right will be driven by social acceptance.
Instilling values in our children, or living by our own values, must be grounded in a substantial appreciation for why it is valuable, and not why it is right.
When we focus on right and wrong, we focus on judging others rather than understanding them.
Arriving at a conclusion about whether something is right or wrong has its place.
But without understanding and an appreciation for the value of what we want to establish, compassion is lost, and harshness is assumed to be justified to uphold truth or morality.
It is counter-productive to use harshness to teach understanding.
And it’s an exercise in futility to ignore what influences you are working against when trying to instil, or live by such values.
Being mindful of two things is therefore critical towards maintaining your sanity.
Firstly, connect with purpose and substance to the values that you stand for by connecting it to the good that you want to create in the lives of those around you.
Secondly, be aware of your ability to influence the adoption of those values in the lives of those you care for.
Sometimes, the appeal of instant gratification, or social inclusion may render your influence impotent.
When that happens, take the time to plant the seed, but don’t exhaust yourself in nurturing it.
We’re all responsible for nurturing our own seeds of goodness in our lives.
Own Your Life.
#hope #expectation #sincerity #selfworth #selfawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #lifecoaching #zaidismail #loveyourself #lifegoals #parenting #singleparenting #gratitude
Do what’s right, or else…
