Nurturing - a Free Path to a Bright Light
“Teaching a child to care for a goldfish — learning about its needs, respecting its otherness, delighting in its shimmering colors and swimming skills — is a better education in caring than is a lecture on global warming.” Author Sallie McFague
Several years ago, school social studies’ classes across America decided upon an interesting and innovative experiment. High school students, as a lesson in nurturing and in preparation for marriage, would each be given a live plant. They had to care for and carry their “baby” with them everywhere, with sometimes hilarious results. One boy left his “Baby” on top of a car; it flew ten feet on takeoff. Another’s died by drowning; most were killed by neglect and starvation.
Later, someone upped the ante; teenagers are now presented with baby dolls that can cry, set off an alarm, and do things that need personal care. One girl left her baby on a public bus, never to be seen again. Another was so frightened when her “baby’s” alarm sounded that she accidentally tore its arm off. A boy was so frustrated that he abandoned his “child” in the supermarket — and ran.
Fortunately, most families – and friends – do a better job of nurturing. The late musician, composer and Beatle John Lennon said, “We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it. You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.”
The best nurturing produces a healthy person, says self esteem Guru Nathaniel Brandon, PhD. What does it take?
Meditation for the Day
You can give me respect, an ear to listen to me, acceptance. You can give me understanding and you can allow me my feelings even if they aren’t yours. You can respect my personal boundaries. You can resist judging me. If you do these things for me, I will thrive and I will grow. And I will love you for it.
Action for the Day
I know that when I nurture someone else, I nurture myself but I also need to know that true caring allows the other person to be themselves while I stay me.
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