Nurturing Hope

As I watch my grandchildren developing, I am reminded that we all began like this - full of hope, curious, innocent - pure potentiality. Our parents dreamed of a better life for us, wanting to provide us with the security they may not have felt as a child, a life filled with abundance and love.

But life is a complicated journey and things don't always evolve as planned. Challenges enter the picture and families are confronted with forks in the road and decisions to be made, some simple, some complex. How do we provide the foundation for our children to become good problem solvers, understanding that when they take responsibility for their actions they will feel empowered and find balance in their lives?

This simple concept is in reality complicated. Some situations that we are confronted with put us in harms way; sometimes children aren't provided a safe environment to grow. Not all children receive the unconditional love and nurturing that creates a feeling of safety and harmony. When children don't feel safe, they grow up to be fearful of life and often angry. Disharmony creates fear. Fear creates disharmony.

As adults of our world's children, all of us need to take responsibility for nurturing and loving our children into tomorrow's adults. Our planet's future depends on this. It truly takes a village to raise a child. But how do we find inspiration in the world? How do we teach peace when we have lost our ability to find harmony in our daily lives?

We can look to nature for examples of how to live in harmony. When humans come into harmony with nature they learn how to live a balanced life. Nature reflects the harmony, or disharmony, within humanity.

Children intuitively understand this. Have you ever been with a young child as he excitedly discovers a spider's perfect web securely attached between two shrubs in the yard? They are naturally in awe of the intricately woven creation. It is the balance and harmony of nature that can restore balance within and without human beings. Childhood innocence. Hope. Curiosity. Inspiration. Living in the present moment. This is the gift nature gives us and children can help us remember.

Open your heart. Embrace childlike wonder and dream a future where humans are in harmony with  the natural world. Learn from a child. Teach a child how to become a thriving, optimistic adult who loves the Earth and is inspired to live in harmony with all sentient beings. Nurture hope.

"If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in." (Rachel Carson)

Blessings of peace, love and light ~ Gretchen