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| We all have our own mountains to climb. |
No one can possibly live up to all the
expectations that absolutely everyone they love has for them. Life
just doesn't work that way, does it? We all have our own idea of what
our life should be like. It's inevitable that somewhere along the
way, those ideals will clash with someone we care deeply for.
Sometimes it's a gut wrenching clash.
Sometimes it hurts so deeply that we're left without words. We fear
for their future. We see that there is no happy ending in sight if
they continue along the path they've laid out for themselves.
Still, all we can do is observe and
hope. Because even when our life experience has taught us that some
of our loved ones are swiftly heading in a direction that has no
happy ending, it's not our place or our responsibility to show them
the way. It's theirs to find. And even if it was and if we did, our
efforts would not teach them what achieving long term life experience
of their own can and will.
Doing nothing is a difficult but
necessary task. Saying nothing takes even more strength. So much so,
that we may succumb to the temptation of speaking out in anger. Some
of us may also carry the burden of watching our loved ones impact the
lives of others for the worse with their actions. And yet, love and
loyalty necessitates that we keep publicly silent, so as not to taint
their reputations by revealing their mistakes.
Do they embarrass us from time to time?
Absolutely. Do we wish things were different for them? Yes. But
ultimately, it's their life to live. We can't live it for them. All
we can do is set a good example, pick up the fallen pieces, mend the
broken hearts and take on the necessary burdens that they've dropped
for the sake of those impacted by their inexperienced decisions.
Above all, we must remember that we're not saints ourselves, having
lived through many mistakes in judgment of our own.
We don't deserve any medals for bravery
or accolades for doing the right thing. And they, being human, should
still have our love and respect. Hopefully, there will come a time
when they see the light and understand that their choices are not
just about fulfilling their own goals. They impact everyone around
them.
Sometimes we unfortunately have to drop
them like a hot rock. Because we know that only experience and
struggle beget knowledge and strength. But of course, we try to do it
as gently as possible, because we love them dearly and we remember
what it was like for us in the past, before we earned our stripes,
that is.
Yes, haven't we all been there at one
time or another?
Folks, life is rough. The mountains we
must climb and the sacrifices we must make for the good of others are
many. It's easy to lose our way. It's tempting to ignore our
responsibilities to others and follow the more direct path to our
own, more immediate, personal happiness. It's human nature to seek
pleasure. But if we can hold out... If we can summon the strength to
make those sacrifices, it's more rewarding in the end.
So, what do we do when loved ones
disappoint us? Well, we try to remember that we have or will be on
the other side of the coin at least once or twice in our lifetime. We
live our lives the best we know how in order to set an example. And
we wait. Because ultimately, we must love and trust them to do the
right thing on their own. And isn't that the best way anyway?
