Most children, adults too, will test boundaries set by parents, or other authorities. We defy rules for many reasons. Establishing independence by resisting outside influences, conforming to peer pressure for social gains, and the all-powerful desire to learn through our own personal experiences. For some of us, assenting to untested rules imposed by others, simply goes against our grain. Children stray beyond their parent’s rules to test if the previous generations restrictions truly apply to them.
Movement is magic for kids’ brains and their emotional state. When children are stationary for too long, their body chemistry diminishes their ability to regulate themselves. Unregulated leads to an increase in kids stress behaviours. Stress behaviour is different from misbehaviour. Misbehaviours are more intentional, agenda driven, and self serving. Stress behaviours on the other hand, are reactions to being tired, nutritionally drained, and in general, the child is over stimulated.
Living a meaningful life is synonymous with being content, although creating meaning in our lives is not always easy. The rewards are in the challenges and their necessary lessons. Perhaps our happiness is predicated on stretching our comfort zone, with learning, and making a difference in the world. At the center of meaningful goals is the relationship that we have with ourselves.
Learning to focus on our one true self sets a crystal-clear path for personal growth, allowing others to meaningfully connect with us and support our life goals. Development of our one true self is made easier when we understand the duo of the inner and outer self. The inner self represents our beliefs, values, and authentic voice, while the outer self is what we show the world in order to gain acceptance.
