We're ALL A Little Broken
This is so very true, "We're ALL a Little Broken", and I love young Trent Shelton's continuation: "but last time I checked, Broken crayons STILL COLOR!" Wise beyond his years. How sad is that too? Having the experience to understand this at such a young age? Or is it sad? Perhaps young people need to know this so they can relate better to their parents and others - who no doubt, are also able to relate to the statement We're ALL A Little Broken.
Why Do I Say That?
"Is it not unfair for children to have to understand their parents?" Is a question you may have thought. Because they are young, we feel the need to protect them from the reality that life can render us "a little broken". Think about it differently for a second though. What if, when our children are young. , we expressed our emotions in a way that they can understand. Like saying "today mommy feels a little broken", perhaps they would grow up giving us grace too? Instead we mask how we feel, believing that will make them feel safer.
Unrealistic Expectations
This kind of relationship can set us and our children up with unrealistic expectations. If we are stoic through the tough times, that is what our children are learning from us. I am not saying that stoic is all bad, this is a coping mechanism that can propel us through times when we would rather just stop.
Definition of stoic - "a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining"
What it can translate into though is this:
- our children believing that we do not have feelings, or that we do not care
- our children behaving the same way and not communicating with us, or others
- or worse, our children growing up believing that we do not have the right to have feelings
Help Them Get Through It
Would it not be preferable to teach our children that we are human and we also have occasions when we are not in top form. Not in detail, because we do want to protect them, but in a way they can relate to. This will teach them three things:
1. That others, including their parents are human (as mentioned above) even if they do think that we "let out the sun" in the morning, as Dr Phil says.
2. Empathy
3. That they have the ability to help others, even their parents, when things are tough
Again, point 3 is age-appropriate. Perhaps it's just teaching your little ones that a hug and a little back patting today will help.
A Somber Topic - Relevant to WA?
This is an unusually somber topic for me to blog about, but it's relevant in the WA context too.
When we interact with one another in this community, there will be times to be "stoic":
- in response to the way others relate to us in the community
- in response to the training or aspects of our new that we may be finding challenging or daunting
- in response to what is happening with our online businesses (no traffic, no sales etc)
Is this helpful to the community? Absolutely not. We are all going through the same processes, just with different levels of technical understanding, business and cultural understanding. When we feel the need to be stoic within the community, we are not sharing our experiences and allowing others to teach us, and / or learn through our challenges.
Please do not misunderstand me, I am not suggesting that we all "spill our guts" and unpack all our emotional issues to be sorted out here.
I am suggesting that we are transparent with the challenges we experience and have empathy with one another through the challenges.
Again, please do not misunderstand me, I have only once had a bad experience in this community, it was dealt with very efficiently by Kyle. All we need to do, is report when a member becomes ........ (you can fill in the gap :-)). My experience of WA community has been 99.9999999999999999% positive. The chap who insulted me, was a rarity.
Then Why Blog On This Topic?
Good question - why would I speak about something I have not experienced in WA?
This message is to encourage those who
- are being stoic,
- who are finding it difficult to reach out for assistance
- who are thinking of quitting because this is just too hard
I know you are there, not because I know by some magical powers, but because it is human nature to do this at times.
My Words for the Stoic
Allow the community to assist you. There are different options avialable:
- Live Chat
- Private Message - is available should you prefer, make no mistake, many WA members opt for PM over Live Chat, there is no shame in it .
- You can approach anyone in the community you feel comfortable to approach. If they do not respond well (which is highly unlikely), you can even report that in Private Message too.
You Don't Have to Go It Alone
Wealthy Affiliate offers a community of amazingly talented, experienced and generous people - find your tribe here, connect and work with them. I am under no illusion that we will all play happy families together and sing "Kumbaya" around the fire - we are all different people, from often times, vastly different walks of life.
You do not have to go it alone, that is the purpose of this community - reach out for assistance. We are rooting for each other here, all facing similar challenges albeit at different times!
Be That One ....
For me, this message says it all ...
I believe that we do take it in turns to "be that one" within the Wealthy Affiliate community - there really is no reason for people to be stoic on those inevitable days when We're ALL a little broken.
Blessings always
PS 21 Day Challenge - You're On! - This is day 15
Recent Comments
42
Thanks for putting in words what I have felt from time to time. Even though I have no children your thoughts apply to each individual.
Thank I’ll go buy a box of crayons and break everyone of them to set by my computer as a friendly reminder. Maybe I should create a new product ...broke crayons to sell online with copy of Trent’s sign (sharing profits of course)
Barry
Hi Barney
What an excellent idea to put the broken crayon message next to your desk and out in the world. I found it on Facebook, maybe we can track the little guy down.
Thank you for your time to read and appreciate this article. Makes the writing all worth while.
Blessings
Louise
Great post! I especially like: "Help them get through it." Keep up the good work!
Michael Inman
Hi Michael
Thank you - really appreciate your time to read and comment.
Yes, the "Help them get through it" is so important. It's about helping someone find their way through their journey, imagine if we all did that, for just that one.
Blessings
Louise
Louise,
🥂 to the Broken!
Your thoughts are ones that I have often felt, or thought... you have just presented it with more elegance and grace!
💖Shaunna
Hi Shaunna
Absolutely - to the Broken!
You are so kind in your response - thank you, made my heart smile.
Blessings
Louise
Hi Andy
Do you mean the people in social media? I think you can copy the link and post it.
Blessings
Louise
Hi Laura
Was a pleasure to write - thank you for visiting and posting such a lovely response.
Blessings
Louise
Hi Louise, I enjoyed your post. Empathy is great and can be also connected to communication which is a two-way street. Some folks personalities just won't allow them to undo "Stoic".
Thanks for sharing!
Cal
Hi Carl
I agree with you, "stoic" is just stuck with some folks - or is it the other way around? :-) Either way, it is something we can all benefit from leaving go of.
Glad you enjoyed this post, it was one of these that I took pleasure in writing. Thank you for the visit and your share too.
Blessings
Louise
See more comments
Hi Louise....just want you to know that I think your writing is impressive.
janice
Hi Janice
What a beautiful thing to say - thank you very much.
Blessings
Louise