Self Acceptance

On the radio show I Iisten to every morning, they have a “Brain Strain”. It’s a question that listeners call in to guess the answer to. Recently they had a question for single men about why they left the last girl they were dating. The resounding answer, over 50%, said “too much baggage.”
 

The hardest job I have ever had is that of parent. I don’t want my children to learn from my mistakes, and I don’t want them to make the same mistakes that I do. But I do realize that they are watching me at all times. They are learning about how to treat people, how to be in relationships, about work ethics and a host of other life approaches just by watching what I am doing every day. Now I realize that it’s not all about me and my children are also learning from others, but as their mom I know that how I act is very important in their development.

 As a college professor, and a high Theoretical (from a values perspective), I admit that I am biased toward knowledge and learning. But, even this notwithstanding, I have been in so many conversations lately where the problem people raise is that it’s “ignorance” or “lack of education” or “lack of knowledge” about something. We often tell people that to improve their lot in life, they need to become educated or go back to school.
 

As I look around at people who are retired or taking it easy, I realize – I don’t envy them. I don’t want to be one of them. I thrive on my frenetic, crazy life. I love everything I get to do. I love making a contribution, and I love using many of the talents God has given me to try and make a difference every day.
 

Being thankful. It seems like such an easy concept. And, yet how often during any given day do we stop and take the time to feel thankful for what we have? We can get so focused on what’s missing – what’s wrong with our lives. We lose sight of the fact that in every moment there are things going on that we can say a silent “thanks” for.
 

This week marked back to school time for my children, and also for me. I teach two sections of an undergraduate leadership course and will teach a new course on careers in finance at my own alma mater in Boston. This year, as in many past years, when I look out at the students in my class, I am struck by how long ago I sat in those same seats. I watch the students and can instantly transport in my mind to being their age, having their worries and concerns, and enjoying many of the same things they do now.