I was hosting a playdate a few days ago when I noticed that both our daughters got lost in thought as they drew on the chalkboard, and knowing their love for art, I knew that what we were seeing was something special. I suddenly struck up a conversation with the mother about how well aware we should be when it comes to our children’s passions and talents and how to nurture them. I began to compare our generation with the new, stating how we were always advised to go into certain fields that would either be scientific or would guarantee a steady job and future. Our parents meant well and there is no doubt about that, but where does it leave us? Where do our own personal passions and talents fit in the bigger scheme of things? We are conditioned to think that decisions that are made for us are the ones that secure a good life, and betting on they do, what if it isn’t what makes us happy?
Doesn’t our happiness count?
We all have a soft spot for something in this life, some of us find out early on but for some reason can’t pursue it while others discover it after a long and prosperous career and either choose to stick to their routine or change after a lot of soul searching. If you think about it, instead of blaming our parents or the generation we were born in for our lack of personal achievements, we should turn it into a blessing for two reasons.
1. It is never too late to pursue a passion; we can do so at 30, 40, 50 and even 60. We owe it to ourselves now that we have become parents and things have been put into perspective, to think of our happiness and what we can do to attain it.
2. We can use our experience to raise our children differently, to embrace their God given talents and nurture their gifts and transform them into something useful and beautiful. We have all noticed by now how what used to be labeled as “only a hobby” can become a career, and those who do what they love, thrive.
Let us pick up on subtle hints that help us understand our children and their preferences. Do they show an understanding for music and rhythm? Do they have an aptitude for mathematics? Do they have a visual memory and are quick with puzzles, shapes and patterns? Do you find that in one click of the cell phone camera they capture a well composed photograph? Do they focus their energy on crafts and arts? Perhaps we have a future maestro, professor, film director, photographer or artist.
We must allow their creativity to flow and we need to shape their minds to know that they are enough, that they can achieve.
Maria Najem
Photo: projectnursery.com
