People Gates

 

Something I’ve observed as of late:

We like to put up gates and limitations on what our spouses or kids should try.

“That’s just what you need, another project.”

“Finish what you started.”

“You already tried something like that and it didn’t work.”

“Just keep your head down and stay where you are.” 

We like to say these things because not trying stuff feels safe and predictable.

Here is the dilemma:

We want our spouses/kids to be engaged and present, have shining eyes, energy and excitement for life, but we also want to control the risk, the time they invest, the outcome of the things they try.

This doesn’t work.

It doesn’t work because as humans we can’t figure out what works for us until we try stuff. And trying stuff doesn’t always work (in fact it shouldn’t always work). BUT trying and failing doesn’t mean FAILING at life. It just means that try didn’t work. Trying (and failing) is how we learn, grow, change, expand, and come to life!

I believe all things work for our good in life if we are willing to learn, grow and change from all circumstances.

We must be allowed to try. We must also be allowed to fail. Trying is life! Trying gives us hope, new doors to walk through… it allows us to dream and change.