The Earth, Energy, and the Power of Parents to Accept Their Children Just As They Are

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything flourishes.”

For me, April is a month dedicated entirely to reflection, as everything around me begins to change, grow, and come to life once again. We begin to see trees budding, flowers blooming, and the infinite possibilities of this month unfolding!

April invites us to connect with our true nature, which is love.  Additionally, it is a great time to ponder our relationship with our planet, which sustains us.   It is also the ideal time to be mindful of our families, whom we depend on and who depend on us. If you are a parent, teacher, caregiver, grandparent, aunt, uncle, and so on, this invitation also extends to connecting with the little ones around you in an intentional way.

In April, I also enjoy doing some spring cleaning and letting go of what no longer serves me, spending more time outdoors, and reflecting on my life: Where do I come from? Where am I now? And where do I want to go? I set personal goals for myself. As a mother of four intelligent, loving, and beautiful girls, both inside and out, my goal is not to miss a single detail of their growth. They are growing up so fast... some are already taller than me! At times, this is hard to fully grasp, but the realization that I must walk alongside them through every stage of their lives with an open heart resonates within me with ever-increasing strength. My goal is to be more present and to celebrate with even greater intensity those small, everyday moments.

Sometimes, we think we need to have the exact right words or a lot of money to help a child succeed. But the greatest gift we can give them is, quite simply, believing in them. When my mother and my maternal grandmother, Mamá Mercedes, looked at me, they didn't see what I lacked; they saw my strength. Even when I was in eighth grade and didn't know a single word of English, a teacher, Mr. Rivera recognized my potential before he ever heard a word pass my lips.

They did something special:

They created a space for me to grow and expand.

They lent me their strength when I felt weak.

They took me by the hand when I fell and helped me get back up countless times.

We are energy fields, and our thoughts and words can either open or block the path of a child, a person just beginning to take shape. 

When we believe in a child, we are telling them: “You are not alone. You are powerful. You can go further than you ever imagined; and when you fall, I will be right here to help you get back up.”

We may harbor many hopes and dreams for our children, but we must remember that our children are individual souls in search of their own truth. They are here to experiment, to make mistakes, and to grow by learning from their own experiences. Our role is to believe in them, rather than judging, walking alongside them through life. It means working to replace every negative thought with its opposite. For instance: instead of thinking, “My son is lazy,” think, “My son is trying!” And then ask yourself: “How can I encourage and help my son become the very best version of himself?” 

Let us work together to build the space our children need to fulfill their potential and live a truly fulfilling life, starting today. In unity lies strength!

With Love & Gratitude,

Nancy J.

Photography taken by Nancy