Life is all about priorities. And how we choose to show up for ourselves and each other speaks volumes. Are our priorities moments of connection over the pursuit of conventional success? What truly enriches our life?
A child experiences great trauma when losing a parent.
But what happens when a child loses a parent to the successful life? The parent promises to come to their basketball game or talent show. But there is always a business reason why it is missed. Priorities become clear.
In our current world, we introduce ourselves and ask each other what we do.
It is unfortunately rare to hear a someone say, I love to cook with my three kids, especially my autistic daughter who is a whiz at making creative dishes. Success is usually paired with social status. So, we share where we are on the ladder of success.
During times of war, parents leave their families to protect their country from the enemy. Some never return from the battlegrounds, and others come back carrying their own trauma.
However, maybe, this raises the question: What can we create to break the patterns of our history?
Workaholics, by prioritizing success, implicitly teach children that their emotional needs and feelings take a backseat, affecting the children’s sense of self-worth. The absence of parents at important events sends a message that those achievements are insignificant, undermining the children’s self-esteem.
In response, some children may turn to substances or violent behavior to garner parental attention. Others may grow up feeling inadequate, with low self-esteem, unable to pinpoint the source of the trauma. Ironically, they often blame themselves for their internal struggles.
Maybe it’s time to focus on the future of life (and work) and take holistic approaches that incorporate our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Perhaps we need to architect new ways of living because no one else is.
Some are looking for extreme experiences these days but maybe the real experiences are right under our nose?