Kids love to say “No fair!” when decisions or incidents don’t go their way. But is life fair? The further we are from being in control, the less fair life can be. Within the family, life can be and usually is fairer but not always in the eyes of the children. They are experiencing life and learning how it works. It’s a good lesson to emphasize within the family how life can often be unfair. Certainly, life is not always fair in the big world in which they will be living - so spare your children the shock!
It can be a depressing thought when someone learns life is not fair. Christians teach that “good works” alone will not get them into heaven. On the face of it, not being rewarded for being a good person seems like the ultimate example of unfairness. But looking for a reward is not why you should be helpful and kind. Some do good things, mostly for recognition. When we see people that don’t seek recognition for the good they do, we appreciate them even more. Being treated fairly for being kind is not the goal, nor should it be expected. Being in control of your life is much more important than looking for fairness.
Acceptance is Freeing
When anyone accepts that life is not fair and never should be expected to be so, it eases their resentment, it takes away victim mentality, we accept the fact we can’t fix everything or help everyone, good things are appreciated, bad situations are less stressful and we can move on quite quickly from disappointment.
Fairness is a gift, not a right. While laws give us our rights, not expecting ‘fairness’ gives us our peace. Fairness is in our lives, only as we live it and accept it from others. Fortunately, there is a lot of fairness in our world, and we are blessed to have it. Generally, we take turns, allow merging traffic, return lost or forgotten items, watch out for others, pay our taxes, help our neighbors, and more. But we are not equally smart, fast, healthy, creative, diligent, or beautiful. Sometimes that will seem unfair, and maybe it is. But remember the Serenity Prayer. It says all you have to know to be able not to be burdened by unfairness.
Summary
Life is not fair! And the sooner you teach this to your children, the more they will learn to live with this fact. In the process, they will be less angry, more accepting, and more apt to be in control of their situation in life. This lesson is one of the best ways to teach and achieve maturity in those you love and want to be successful. It's a lesson that must be taught over and over until it sinks in.
#powerofdadhood
It can be a depressing thought when someone learns life is not fair. Christians teach that “good works” alone will not get them into heaven. On the face of it, not being rewarded for being a good person seems like the ultimate example of unfairness. But looking for a reward is not why you should be helpful and kind. Some do good things, mostly for recognition. When we see people that don’t seek recognition for the good they do, we appreciate them even more. Being treated fairly for being kind is not the goal, nor should it be expected. Being in control of your life is much more important than looking for fairness.
Acceptance is Freeing
When anyone accepts that life is not fair and never should be expected to be so, it eases their resentment, it takes away victim mentality, we accept the fact we can’t fix everything or help everyone, good things are appreciated, bad situations are less stressful and we can move on quite quickly from disappointment.
Fairness is a gift, not a right. While laws give us our rights, not expecting ‘fairness’ gives us our peace. Fairness is in our lives, only as we live it and accept it from others. Fortunately, there is a lot of fairness in our world, and we are blessed to have it. Generally, we take turns, allow merging traffic, return lost or forgotten items, watch out for others, pay our taxes, help our neighbors, and more. But we are not equally smart, fast, healthy, creative, diligent, or beautiful. Sometimes that will seem unfair, and maybe it is. But remember the Serenity Prayer. It says all you have to know to be able not to be burdened by unfairness.
Summary
Life is not fair! And the sooner you teach this to your children, the more they will learn to live with this fact. In the process, they will be less angry, more accepting, and more apt to be in control of their situation in life. This lesson is one of the best ways to teach and achieve maturity in those you love and want to be successful. It's a lesson that must be taught over and over until it sinks in.
#powerofdadhood
