On Giving Advice

Youngest Daughter had some events in her life this past week that gave me an opportunity to practice listening...and practice making an effort to just listen.

I have made it a lifelong practice and belief that I knew the way, the best way, things should be done. Why, if the world could just do things my way, it would be such a happy place!

Color me clueless, very, very clueless. Or insecure and without self-esteem is more accurate.

I have come to understand that what is right for me is just that...right for me. And I have also come to understand that right for me today is just that...right for me today. I don't have to tenaciously adhere to some tenet if I grow into a new understanding. Something different may be right for me tomorrow.

This sounds wishy washy on a certain level, I know, but it makes deep sense. It allows for growth and change.

I try to express my experience now in those terms...my experience, what I have learned, what has worked for me. I am getting pretty good at it, too, understanding what works for me won't work for everyone else.

Except when it comes to my kids. Old habits die so hard! And to be honest, I think I may have given her a tee tiny bit of advice...but I asked her first if she wanted it!