For many the instructions we receive with our purchase don’t get looked at. Typically they get put to the side until there are issues and then they’re pulled out. I hear alto-often I don’t need the instructions. They should be called the destruction’s. We will just figure it out. For many that is the same way they live their life. We guess. We hope. And we try to piece things together.
The guess work often leads to extra parts laying around. These parts are essential to strength and support. Often times things break down because of the missing parts. We run into a mess and still try to just keep pushing on. Taking the time to stop, to look over the instructions and ask for help are things we don’t want to do. Pride is a big factor in this. For many asking for help shows they couldn’t do something themselves. Being stubborn to prove a point is another aspect that impacts all of us. Knowing you’re wrong yet still arguing your point as if it’s fact does nothing but prolong the result. This argument usually leads to further issues between you and others. Time is another component, no one has enough of it. We rush through things, we bypass the instructions in hopes of saving time. What happens then? We spend more time trying to fix the mistake or the missing parts.
Now there are times that we read the instructions and they’re not clear. There are times the instructions may be wrong. Or we can’t understand what IKEA is trying to say. There’s a great episode of The Office that depicts this perfect. Micheal and Dwight are driving and the GPS says go straight. Micheal listens to it and drives into a pond. We have all had some similar thinking, hopefully not the driving into the pond part, but the it’s what I was told to do. In life there are going to be times you are told to do something that you know is incorrect. You know the result will lead to failure but you will follow through because of the instruction.
As a parent there’s not a clear instruction of what to do. It’s usually a trial and error approach. We try to go back to the age of our kids and remember what we did. For some, that may not be the best approach. Things are ever changing. Things we didn’t have to think or deal with when we were at that age are not mainstream. We are now having conservation’s with our kids that our parents had with us and hoping our kids listen better than we did. The most rewarding thing a parent can hear is whatever you’re doing its working. Take pride in all aspects of being a parent, not just the positive results. When your child fails and they will, be there and watch how they become stronger. Watch their growth. Pay attention to their “inner-circle.” Be hands on. At the same time don’t be afraid to take a step back and let them work things out themselves. Don’t be afraid to slow things down and look over the instructions. If they’re not clear, you have the option to edit and rewrite somethings along the way. Be supportive of other parents, we are in this together. We often rush to judge others if they are doing things differently. One of the greatest things about our journey is the people we meet along the way. It’s also okay to be wrong and have someone tell you that. It may sting and be hard to hear but will bring about a positive result.
Enjoy your day and I hope your instructions are a little clearer today. If you find a few extra parts don’t be afraid to ask for help in adding them back to make things stronger.
TCB