#9 Things I wish I had taught my son... And still can
What will you base your relationships on?
Today is Sunday and I'm not going to ask you if you went to Church. Mom will probably nag you about it but not I. This is the part of your life when you go to Church because you want to for yourself. Although we have provided ample examples of a living Church in our lives, in our family, in our friendships, still you must decide if it is for you now or maybe later.
But I will ask you this.
When you meet that special someone, what will you base that relationship on? If it is anything other than Christ, I suggest it will be temporary. If you base the relationship on "good looks" then when those "good looks" change, the relationship will wobble on shaky ground. If the relationship is based on power or money, when that runs out, the chances of collapse will also be just around the corner. If the relationship is based on good emotions, great conversation or strong physical attraction, then too a similar fate will await you.
The only lasting thing you can base your relationship on is Jesus Christ. It is like an insurance policy for that relationship. Otherwise, it'll just drift. And eventually disintegrate.
On our wedding invitation I wrote the following words. "Through Christ, we met. Through Christ we learned to love, we learned to share. Through Christ we will be united forever." I think that because of this idea, your mom and I have been able to weather storms better than others. We've had a couple of financial collapses, we've aged, we've even had differences of opinion on many issues. But "through Christ, we will be united forever" is a very real possibility. I know I want her next to me when I am on my death bed.
And ultimately, that is the question every couple seeking to spend the rest of their lives together should answer. "Who do you want to be next to you on your death bed?"
I love your mami,
Your papi
Forward this to a friend or have him or her start receiving the first email in this series by signing up at http://www.thingsiwishihadtaughtmyson.com
What I do... http:/www.thestorytellingplace.com
Today is Sunday and I'm not going to ask you if you went to Church. Mom will probably nag you about it but not I. This is the part of your life when you go to Church because you want to for yourself. Although we have provided ample examples of a living Church in our lives, in our family, in our friendships, still you must decide if it is for you now or maybe later.
But I will ask you this.
When you meet that special someone, what will you base that relationship on? If it is anything other than Christ, I suggest it will be temporary. If you base the relationship on "good looks" then when those "good looks" change, the relationship will wobble on shaky ground. If the relationship is based on power or money, when that runs out, the chances of collapse will also be just around the corner. If the relationship is based on good emotions, great conversation or strong physical attraction, then too a similar fate will await you.
The only lasting thing you can base your relationship on is Jesus Christ. It is like an insurance policy for that relationship. Otherwise, it'll just drift. And eventually disintegrate.
On our wedding invitation I wrote the following words. "Through Christ, we met. Through Christ we learned to love, we learned to share. Through Christ we will be united forever." I think that because of this idea, your mom and I have been able to weather storms better than others. We've had a couple of financial collapses, we've aged, we've even had differences of opinion on many issues. But "through Christ, we will be united forever" is a very real possibility. I know I want her next to me when I am on my death bed.
And ultimately, that is the question every couple seeking to spend the rest of their lives together should answer. "Who do you want to be next to you on your death bed?"
I love your mami,
Your papi
Forward this to a friend or have him or her start receiving the first email in this series by signing up at http://www.thingsiwishihadtaughtmyson.com
What I do... http:/www.thestorytellingplace.com
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#2 Things I wish I had taught my son... And still can
Aug/28/2008 07:04 AM Filed in: Relationships | Ancient Wisdom
If you're not going to say something spirit building...
Don Miguel Ruiz the famous author of the Four Agreements calls it... Be Impeccable with your words.
What he means is never to inflict pain on anyone with your words. That's because whether positive or negative they are powerful.
Words make or break a young child's spirit. Words break hearts. Words leave scars that hurt a lifetime.
But it seems, because people insult one another so often, that we are impermeable to "put downs". Not true. The child inside of us still gets damaged when somebody cuts us down. Some people will carry the baggage of insults with them to their grave. Families have been destroyed by what seemed like a little joke.
There is a cliché that older people use. They use it because it is wisdom. They say... "If you're not going to say something good about someone, then don't say anything at all." It's not cool to not insult. it's sort of like an "in" thing. But insulting is like stealing life from somebody.
Take Don Miguel Ruiz's shamanic advice and build people's spirit with your words. If a put down session is already taking place and somebody you know is the one who is being ground down to mince meat, don't participate. Don't add your two cents worth of insults. If you do participate, your "so-called" friends will expect you to be mean-spirited and they will eventually fear that mean spirit that lives and grows within you.
Word,
Your papi
Don Miguel Ruiz the famous author of the Four Agreements calls it... Be Impeccable with your words.
What he means is never to inflict pain on anyone with your words. That's because whether positive or negative they are powerful.
Words make or break a young child's spirit. Words break hearts. Words leave scars that hurt a lifetime.
But it seems, because people insult one another so often, that we are impermeable to "put downs". Not true. The child inside of us still gets damaged when somebody cuts us down. Some people will carry the baggage of insults with them to their grave. Families have been destroyed by what seemed like a little joke.
There is a cliché that older people use. They use it because it is wisdom. They say... "If you're not going to say something good about someone, then don't say anything at all." It's not cool to not insult. it's sort of like an "in" thing. But insulting is like stealing life from somebody.
Take Don Miguel Ruiz's shamanic advice and build people's spirit with your words. If a put down session is already taking place and somebody you know is the one who is being ground down to mince meat, don't participate. Don't add your two cents worth of insults. If you do participate, your "so-called" friends will expect you to be mean-spirited and they will eventually fear that mean spirit that lives and grows within you.
Word,
Your papi