When a person’s movements flow like water, they are said to be graceful. When a person’s heart and mind collaborate in time, they are infused with grace. Those in a state of grace are often absent of fear. Even while accepting a perilous reality, they are emotionally unaffected by it. In moments of grace, we are clear of unrelated thoughts, the mind is completely absorbed in its current reality.

Today’s parents have new challenges. Previous generations were kept busy feeding, clothing, and educating their kids, while even earlier generations of parents were preoccupied with just keeping their children alive. Parenting challenges that exist today, like learning disabilities, gender identity, ADHD, autism spectrum, along with heightened anxiety and depression, either didn’t exist in the past, or we were unaware of them.

Recently I experienced a very peaceful dream where everyone on the planet checked in with themselves before making decisions. In the dream, choices, even the insignificant ones, were put through a quick screening process. People insisted on making choices that were aligned with their life aspirations of honouring truth, wisdom, and love.

Stirring the pot often reveals unpopular opinions that people do not want to hear. It dredges up stuff, like uncomfortable truths, which many of us wish to ignore. Unpleasant as it is, stirring the pot becomes a necessary evil. Alternatively, we can view pot stirring as an essential to our growth.

Can we love people who are not loving in return? Do hurtful people, lacking in respect and decency, deserve kindness? Is there a way to be truthful and kind to those who are not thoughtful or principled? Loving the lovable is easy, especially if we are feeling good. Being respectful, kind, and inspiring to people we approve of is rewarding. However, showing patience and compassion to those who are undeserving can be challenging.

As my principal Jim Toews use to say, “There are no problems, only creative opportunities.” Opportunities are often disguised as tough problems. Some problems overwhelm us, and we find it difficult to believe that on the other side of tough, is a silver lining. Belief is critical.

…When we practice being present to each moment, mindful of how we are interacting in life’s journey, winning, and losing will dissolve. The choices we make and how it impacts our experience cannot be defined by winning or losing…

So many times in life I was certain my goals were out of reach. Perhaps they were beyond me at that time because I couldn’t see them happening. I didn’t believe in the possibility. I didn’t feel the necessary resources were ever going to come available. I was also spending more time thinking why it wasn’t going to happen, than thinking about how it could.

Children do not want to be obsessed with needing peer approval, but most are. If they understand that rejection is a reality of life, then the illusion of needing the approval of others is easier to debunk. Children certainly cannot make their friends happy or win their admiration and respect all the time. Children navigate socially with greater confidence when they accept this reality.

To feel good. Think good. Choose good. Do good. Repeat!  A simple and respected recipe, yet simple is not always easy. After all, if it’s easy, it’s not worth doing. These and other antidotes echo in my mind, as gifts from my parents. Eat only when hungry, never doubt, think positively, follow your heart. Even though simplicity is implied, applying, such treasured guidance usually takes dedicated thought and practice.

Reactions to an outpouring of anger are many, from attempts at appeasement, to defiantly matching the other persons fury. Both of these strategies usually prolong or escalate the anger that we wish to prevent.

… Acknowledging our fears allows us to identify decisions that are unwise, and to notice choices that come from irrational fears of failure. Luckily, we often get to learn from our poor choices and then chose again with greater wisdom.

The quieter we become the more we can hear. This universal wisdom speaks of our ability to be still long enough so that we can connect with our inner self. Listening to others is wise. Listening within and knowing ourselves is a process of enlightenment. Seldom do people afford the time to check in with themselves.

While it is healthy to acknowledge that we are all needy from time to time, there are times when it feels like our children have created a black hole of excessive neediness, that pulls everyone kicking and screaming into this dark energy sucking vortex.

From enthusiast to fanatic, a fan is a bundle of appreciation and admiration, yet being a fan may not always be healthy.

Being able to observe life from multiple perspectives deepens understanding, increases tolerance, and diminishes biases. Awareness that our knowledge and understanding of life’s complexities is fairly limited, motivates us to seek different points of view.

Aging, a curse for some, earned wisdom and grace for others. It is interesting to observe elders. Some wear their years with grace and gratitude, while others tend to be grumpy broken windup toys.