Your Inner Work Evolves Us All

“I’m not going to screw up my kid like my parents screwed me up.”

Sound familiar? It’s often a vow much like this one that first propels us down the path of conscious parenting. It can come from a place of anger, blaming, or self-pity. But it can also come from a place of empowerment. We are acknowledging that things can change and we can be the one to change them. From one generation to the next, we can consciously pass on those traits and behaviors we believe will foster joy in our children and let negative patterns and hurtful behaviors end with us.

Identifying and bringing to light the negative patterns we took on at a young age is an ongoing process — it can be the work of a lifetime. But it’s important work. If you were abused and you don’t abuse your child, it’s a gift. If you were taught to dislike yourself and you teach your child to value himself instead, it’s a gift. If you were brought up in an environment of fear and you instead create a home filled with security and love, it’s a gift. And the repercussions of these gifts are huge. You are doing nothing less than helping the planet to evolve in a positive direction.

So be proud of the inner work you’ve done so far — wherever you are in the process and however much energy your able to devote to it right now. Congratulate yourself on your achievement.