Finding my bliss...

Several incidents lately have saddened me... Nothing spectacular, really. No Earth-shattering corruption/scandal/disaster. I'm just realizing exactly how much of the world's population is obssessed with the material goods and man-made achievements. This may not sound like a revolutionary thought, but the clarity of society's faulty description of success IS shocking to me.

Truly, I DO think about the future. About the potential thrills and horrors that could be in store for me and my family. I just don't dwell on them. My success as a parent does not hinge upon whether or not my children become doctors or famous authors. It doesn't even balance upon their choices to go to college or not...

I truly believe that there is no way to judge a parent's success in raising their children in anything other than their happiness factor. If my child grows up to be working in retail, medicine, law or sewage, their joy in life is all that matters. If my child grows up finding the need to focus on tomorrow, on the future, on what one can achieve and gain instead of what he has in the family that surrounds him, then I have failed.

What pleasure could I possibly have in knowing that my daughter strives for a degree or job promotion but cannot find the joy in a quiet morning, a sunset, a baby's soft cheek... ?

I don't intend on raising children without backbone or goals. But I do hope to raise children that can find the value and gratitude for the good fortunes they have every day of their lives. I hope to raise them to be content in the journey, and not focused on a non-existent finish line.

Pretty tall order, I know... Contentment and peace and all. Any suggestions??

Original post to Chicago Moms Blog.