Stretch Your Shine
Children are not coloring books. They need to be filled with more than just your favorite colors.
Parents and grandparents get so excited when a child is learning new things. They can’t wait to teach the child everything they know. This is great! It’s how memories are made.
However, children also need to learn things that may not be your expertise or your favorite thing to do. Do not discourage them from learning those things.
Children learn by doing. They will figure out what they like and what they don’t like. Encourage them to try new things – even the things you personally don’t want to do.
What is one thing that you love to do that your parents did not? Did they encourage you to try it anyway or did they try to discourage you?
Just as there’s no comparison between the sun and the moon, you cannot compare your child to others. Each child will shine when it’s their time.
Many parents think their children should be hitting certain milestones because a different child did. But every child is different. Just because they didn’t reach those goals at a when they “should” doesn’t mean they won’t get there in their own time.
Instead of worrying about the things they aren’t doing yet, why not focus on the things they are doing. Enjoy each stage of their life. Don’t rush the process because they grow up way more quickly than you realize!
No matter how old your child is, remember that comparing them to other people is unfair to them. Let them shine in their own amazing way. Give them the space they need to breathe and the support their choices so they can grow as only they could. Above all else, love them for who they are!
Think about a time that you were being compared to someone else. How did it make you feel? Did you achieve anything more because of the comparison? If your child isn’t where someone thinks they should be, maybe it isn’t their time to conquer those feats yet.
Just breathe and enjoy their accomplishments as they come! Enjoy the sunshine AND the moonlight.
Colors are nature’s way of smiling.
Take your family outside and look around. Notice the beautiful colors that are around you. Experience the joy that comes from the rainbow the universe sent your way.
Even on the hardest day, if you remember to look at the good things that are happening around you, your focus will change, and your mood should improve.
When was the last time you acknowledged the beauty that nature has put in front of you. Make a conscious effort to appreciate your surroundings and don’t forget to smile.
Be someone’s sunshine when their skies are gray.
We all have difficult days. Imagine how you would feel if someone took the time to make sure you had a moment of happiness when you were sad. That one act of kindness could be the change you need to turn your entire day around. Learn to be that for someone else. Teach your children how to be the smile on someone’s face.
Children learn by example; they learn by watching you. Teach them to shine their brightness for the world by being an example of the light that shines.
Name one thing you have done in the past week to shine your light for others. Name one thing you will do today be the light in someone else’s life. Now, go be that light and shine brightly, my friends!
Innocence is what makes children stand out as a shining example to the world.
Look into the eyes of an infant and you will see trust, curiosity, and joy. Children are not prone to selfishness or dishonesty. They are born with the greatest gift of all – innocence.
They want to be loved. They want to learn. They want to play and be a part of something.
Think back to your childhood. Do you remember waking up in the morning and the only thing you had to worry about is if you would make it outside in time to play with your friends before lunch? I remember that feeling. I remember playing kickball in the field behind our house or making dirt roads under the tree at my grandma’s.
What examples of childhood innocence do you remember from your own childhood?
Encourage your children to stretch their shine.
Children are born with the ability to light up the world. They are so tiny and cute and learn extremely quickly.
Teach them how to use their imagination. Don’t let them lose their smile or the ability to make others smile.
It is our job as the adults in their lives to guide children and protect their innocence and their light. We need to teach them to take that light and shine it on every corner of the universe; teach them to bring smiles instead of fear; teach them to bring love and peace instead of hatred and fear.
When we show them the way the world is supposed to be, they don’t know any other way exists. When we allow children to shine their love and joy, it spreads to those around them.
What was the last time you shined your light and love for the world to see? What can you do right now to shine so brightly that you could make a difference?
Never let someone dim your light - even if it’s shining in their eyes.
What other people think about you is not your responsibility. You are only responsible for your own words and actions. Don’t allow their thoughts or words to interfere with you doing your best. Don’t allow other people to use guilt to get you to do what they want you to do.
You do not have to dumb yourself down to be accepted anywhere. Live your life as your authentic self. Instead of worrying about what other people think of you, show the world who you really are. Be proud of your accomplishments and don’t seek acceptance from anyone else.
You are smart. You are intelligent. You are beautiful. And, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You were put on this world to be you. Let your you shine!
Teach your children not to hide their light, but to let it shine.
Have you ever heard that children should be seen and not heard? Or that boys don’t want to marry a girl who is smart? So many people were brought up hearing these words and they were passed from generation to generation.
Do not stifle your child’s creativity or teach them to hide their intelligence. Instead, allow them to be themselves and give them the space they need to shine wherever they go. Show them how to shine by being an example.
You are a rainbow of possibilities.
What does it mean to be a rainbow of possibilities? I know that sounds really out there and you aren’t sure how it applies to you. Think about the last conversation you had catching up with a friend. What was the first thing you talked about? How did the conversation end? How many subjects did you cover in between? You can move from subject to subject without even thinking about it.
Just like that conversation, you future is made up of many options. You get to choose which path you will take, but the options are there and the choice is yours to make. You get to decide which direction your life will go. You get to decide what you want to be when you grow up. You make your own goals and figure out your own path to get there. The decision is yours and the possibilities are endless.
Most of us are taught about following our dreams as children, but we tend to get so focused on living the day-to-day life that we forget to focus on the possibilities of our future. Our job as the adults in our family is to make sure our children remember to stay open to their possibilities. Encourage them to follow their dreams. Allow them to pivot their choices where necessary. Lead by example and show them how to live their dreams and follow their hearts.
Nothing shines brighter than the beauty of a good heart.
When your actions come from the heart, they come from a place of love. Coming from a place of love changes your entire perspective and gives you the chance to spread love to others.
I worked as a secretary in an international corporation. The receptionist was an older lady whose light shined brightly everywhere she went. It even shined in her voice to all those she spoke to on the telephone. Just hearing her voice could brighten your mood.
One day I asked her where she got the energy to be so much to so many people. She told me that it wasn’t always this way. She was in a very dark place at one point in her life. It was at that time that she met someone whose heart was so good they didn’t even realize they were helping her. She decided she wanted to be that person for other people. So she changed the way she allowed others to see her. She still had her bad days, but she did that privately. She didn’t want to take the chance of missing an opportunity to help someone feel better about themselves.
Make a conscious effort to show the good side of yourself so that you can shine on everyone you see. You never know when that one smile could make the biggest difference in someone’s life!
