It is quite shocking to realize that your children may have very different sensibilities to yourself. We have things that are deeply innate to who we are as people; love of writing, reading, music, athletics, culture or whatever the case may be. When our children grow up we can find that the things we feel define us, our children have no inclination for or interest in. It is one of the oddest, most unexpected realizations. We think, “how can you possibility not want to pick up a book and read?!”, “Why don’t you want to go on a hike, gaze at nature and see the limitless beauty of the universe?!”, etc.

Our love should overcome this surprise. We should put away our disappointment. We can look to what they love, embrace it, learn it and love it with them. Sometimes it’s Tik Tock, skateboarding, hip hop or crazy hair. Whatever it is, let us never let our children disappoint us, let us love them for who they are created to be.

*my daughter and husband, Denver*

The role of negative emotions can be powerful and motivating if we allow them. We hear much about positive rewards, encouragement and inspiration as a way to move us in the direction we want to go. Not much time is given to the helpful role of negative emotions in propelling us towards our goals.

The negative emotions; boredom, disgust, frustration, anger are things that we associate with avoidance. However, when we feel these emotions I believe we can allow them to highlight an area of our lives we desire change. If we allow them to channel our behaviors towards things we want and don’t let them dominate our minds and overcome us, they can be powerful tools for change.

The classic example of a teacher, parent, friend, colleague or society itself telling us we can’t achieve something can push us to prove that person or entity wrong. We can remember the negative emotions brought forward (anger, frustration, injustice) that lit a fire in our hearts and swept us along to do more than we would have. We look back with great satisfaction and say “see, you weren’t right!”. We “prove” them wrong.

The negative emotions may come internally in the form of disappointment, low self esteem or other hard feelings directed towards ourselves by ourselves. I believe even here, maybe especially here, we can use them to understand what we want. Those negative emotions can precipitate self-reflection and can be channelled into a deeper understanding of where we want to go and what we want to accomplish.

Overcoming obstacles, as negative emotions are, can leave lasting fulfillment, strength and resilience.

*Portland, Oregon, the Willamette River near Sellwood*

The west is burning

the cool glades afire

the lakes fogged with ash

smoke slithering above the surface

the songs of animals silenced

the question of the future of the forests of our land

lies heavy with sadness on our western border

*on top of a ridge, somewhere in Montana*

Frustration adds value

it shows me what I care about

what I want

It motivates me to push through

it is a source of energy

to fight for something or someone

When I conquer or resolve the source of frustration

I find meaning, fulfillment and happiness

*El Dorado Canyon, Denver*