US president-elect Barack Obama’s mother “spoke in mostly positive terms,” to her children, saying “‘This is what we are trying to do;’ and ‘This is what we can do.’” In fact, she was said to be “suspicious of can’t,” (Time Magazine, April 8).
Perhaps that’s why “Yes We Can” was the theme of his victory speech. Perhaps he had also heard time and again from a young age that he spoke well. Obama, the Time story says, never heard his mother speak about racism. Perhaps that’s how he got the idea that a biracial man could be president of the United States of America.
Sen. John McCain, in his concession speech, said, “I won’t spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.” Perhaps he heard a time or two growing up that handling disappointment graciously and moving into the next moment of success – or service – is the hallmark of a great patriot.
What do your children believe about who they are and the character qualities they possess? “Good boy” and “good girl” junk speak won’t snatch a challenging child from the death grip of self-doubt and negativity.
Shifting your awareness 180-degrees to see in a child the emerging embers of greatness will.
Do you see a trouble-maker or creative problem-solver when the toddler is stacking the furniture to reach the cookies? Do you see a desire to control or an ability to lead when a middleschooler asserts his ideas with a group? Do you see a fierce sense of fairness or an argumentative teenager? We are not suggesting that you allow the toddler to climb the stacked furniture or the middleschooler to ignore the wishes of others or the teenager to be disrespectful. We are suggesting that you attune your senses and nurture your own heart to see your child’s character and inherent skills from the viewpoint of positivity.
Please, not pie-in-the-sky “Oh you’re so wonderful.” We’re talking eye-to-eye in the moment detailed descriptions that fan those delicate sparks of empathy, integrity, loyalty and every great trait your child already possesses but perhaps you simply are not yet seeing or saying.
Children convinced of their greatness in their spirits will continually manifest greatness in the physical. Barack Obama’s mother wasn’t perfect, just positive.
ENERGYPARENTING positivity is a much more powerful parenting position than perfection; it’s transformative. And a whole lot easier to attain.
To Your Transformative Positivity!