Wouldn’t it be great if we had an internal compass to let us know what direction we were headed?
Actually we are born with a tendency to attach positively to the people, objects, ideas and nature that surround us. Our preferences for interaction with our environment create our compass.
Unfortunately, we can’t read this compass easily until we are older.
Too often by the time we have the skills to read our compass, fulfilling the wishes of others rather than achieving our own desires has diminished our sense of direction.
What we choose to do determines whom we become. Our choices make us who we are.
As a baby did you prefer to sit and watch, or did you want to be in the middle of the hubbub. Were you a picky eater or not? Did you climb trees, or were you down on the ground telling others to be careful? What does your child love to do? What does he or she avoid? Why?
As we observe our children and their choices, we begin to see who they truly are. Conversely, if we are retrospective about our own choices we can see more clearly who we are. Awareful observation can help us gain valuable person insight.
When we know what we like to do, and do what we like to do, we fall into a lucky group of people who has a sense of purpose. When we possess a sense of purpose and focus on that purpose, we develop passion. With passion we want to grow and know. We want to do the work of getting where we want to go. We want to do the job we are meant to do. Our self-awareness allows us to feel fulfilled in our day-to-day efforts and relationships.
As we observe our children at work and play and see their preferences, we begin to understand our children in powerful ways.
We begin to see who they really are, and how we might be of help to them in order for them to find purpose, passion and fulfillment.
Accomplished people have a strong sense of their unique abilities and what they would like to do next. They know who they are and where they are going. They are the CEO’s of their lives.
Once we know what we would like to do, we have direction.
Our direction helps us develop skills and develop opportunities to grow. Being aware of our direction-what we want to do-we plan, we seek advice, we use our time, energy, money and more in order to reach our goals. We acknowledge our strengths and lead with that power. We use our awareness to help us overcome weaknesses that might become obstacles to our growth.
As we follow the child, we help that child make choices within limits of responsibility and safety.
For the 18-month-old whose beginning vocabulary and activities includes the word “ball”, perhaps we’ll see a love of ball-playing that leads to a love of coaching as an adult, not only sports, but by helping people problem solve and see themselves as valuable.
Perhaps the ten-year-old who spends hours making patterns out of colored wooden shapes, finds purpose in her twenties by designing and creating quilts.
Perhaps the five-year-old’s requests for you to read to them about animals leads to more desire to learn about animals, with him or her becoming a vet, an animal trainer, or pet owner.
Once we become aware of what we like to do and why, our purpose follows. Know who your child really is. Watch.
