As I approach 40, I realize so many choices I made were trying to make others happy. To not disappoint family, people I respected. Maybe it was fear of loss, after mom died I think I was scared to lose more. I don't really know. The only person whose opinion matters now is my wife. She has been the anchor my life needed, the boost my heart yearned for. Everyone else held me back.
I married young and signed up for the Navy because I thought "this is what I have to do". My son turned 16 last night and all I could think was: "Am I guiding him towards good choices or fencing him into what I want?"
A fine line to be sure a parent must walk. You want the best for your offspring, but you have to let them make the call on what that really is. A lesson I learned all to late in life. People, don't make good decisions for others.
Let advise guide youn but not rule you.
I married young and signed up for the Navy because I thought "this is what I have to do". My son turned 16 last night and all I could think was: "Am I guiding him towards good choices or fencing him into what I want?"
A fine line to be sure a parent must walk. You want the best for your offspring, but you have to let them make the call on what that really is. A lesson I learned all to late in life. People, don't make good decisions for others.
Let advise guide youn but not rule you.
