They cared and they taught us to
care. But part of their parental code was how NOT to care as well. It’s
something all of us try and follow because they practice what they preach, they
walk the talk. And all the time we were growing up, they tried to instill
things in us, never pushed things down our throats. Did we heed their words?
Maybe not all of them, then. But those words lived on in us – and came to the
fore when it mattered. Words that were taught with wisdom, caring and love. An
insurance for the life ahead of us.
Then I looked around at close friends
who had great parents as well and I asked them whether they were taught how not
to care too – about the things that don’t matter, the things that are
ephemeral, the things that are superficial, the things that shouldn’t be
important. I’ve tried to make a list of all the ones I can remember. It’s a
list that maybe we can try and teach our children. Most kids will think you’re
crazy – but they’ll remember it some day when they’re all grown up – and
they’ll try to follow. I know we do.
Teach them not to care about what
others think – how we feel about ourselves is what is important.
Teach them not to care how
friends look, speak, what they wear – it’s how they make us feel that counts.
Teach them not to care about what
could be wrong about others’ religious beliefs – it’s what’s right with ours
that we need to follow.
Teach them not to care when
others judge us – what’s important is that we don’t judge others.
Teach them not to care when
others take and don’t pay back – it’s so much more satisfying when we pay it
forward.
Teach them not to care what the
world expects – setting our own standards high and achieving them should be our
challenge.
Teach them not to care if someone
is better then them in studies, sports, music, whatever – now that’s hard to
follow but gets easier if a special talent is nurtured and made to bloom.
Teach them not to care if people
ridicule them about the way they look – the more we show we are affected, the
more will they tease us.
Teach them not to care if people
taunt them – ignoring someone is a better way to retaliate than losing your
temper.
Teach them not to care about the
toxic takers – things work so much better in a giving, sharing environment.
Teach them not to care about the
ones who don’t listen – but let’s lend someone our ears when needed.
Teach them not to care – about so
many silly, inconsequential, unimportant things – a lot of what is important to
us when we are young will seem so silly as we grow up.
Teach them not to care about the
ones who don’t care – life’s so short, let’s spend it with the ones who do
care.
