It was awe inspiring the other day, viagra 40mg watching a young boy bouncing about in his father’s arms completely passed out without a care in the world. The boy had unqualified trust, knowing he would be protected and delivered safely to his destination. The boy was about 4 or 5 years old. However, if in 10 years from now, his father was still carrying him about, it would bring a different kind of attention because the behavior would seem un-natural, un-fortunate or un-safe? It reminded me of the old adage, “Ahhh youth! If only I knew then what I know now!”

When we are young we are in such a hurry to grow old, and when we are old we long for the carelessness of youth or at least the energy. This is the strange paradox of life. As the older ones take on the responsibility of teaching the younger ones and the young “buck up” against that teaching, because that is what young people do on their way to finding out who they are and who they want to become, the elders often forget that they too were once young and full of energy and angst – knowing ALL of that already!  Even when it seems they are not listening or even hearing us—we must continue to teach and talk to our young people. We must share our knowledge and experiences with them and train them up so that one day they will be able to fly. When they do not listen we must still talk because they might hear, and when they do not want to hear we must continue to whisper because one day they may listen. As life begins to happen to them, they will recall the lessons they have been taught.

Making mistakes is a part of the learning process and taking responsibility for the mistakes you make is a part of the maturity it takes to become a responsible adult, an independent person. Helping our young people become healthy, well-adjusted, independent contributing adults who recognize their responsibility to their community and the society in which they live should be our primary goal as we teach our children and make deposits of knowledge into their lives. We want them to fly, to soar and go beyond where we could even imagine because they are our future and our legacy. It is important that they have a firm foundation, a place from which they can launch and a place to which they can return. “Roots and Wings”, they need both. They must be able to rely upon us to share our lives, experiences, knowledge and love with them. We have to nurture their imaginations and listen to their fears, help them overcome their insecurities so that they can soar…. and one day pass on what they have learned to the next and the next and the next young one who first needs to be carried before they can walk, run and eventually fly.

Birds do not only fly, they also build nests. They need a place to rest, a place to return to as they grow. If they are nurtured, taught and guided…. one day they will build their own nest and even then they will always return to the place that gave them their roots…because without roots it would not be possible for them to use their wings.  I am thankful for ALL the elder ones who have deposited into me their knowledge, experience and love. I pass it forward and forward, as it is not mine to keep. I teach as I have been taught…”Knowledge is not yours until you give it away.”

Dr.T
Tawnya Pettiford-Wates. Ph.D.
Artistic Director and Founder
The Conciliation Project
Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University
DrT@Margin2theCenter.com
www.theconciliationproject.org

Up Next Week: The Politics of Home Sweet Home