Homeschool Fiction

Ultimately, what you get out of life is derived by your personal priorities. So, choosing what yours are is highly important. Don’t let other people choose your goals for you. If you do, you will not live an authentic life. This isn’t a “leave others in the lurch” statement – quite the opposite. Only agree to do things you are actually going to do. Accept that if you aren’t willing to do something for yourself, it might not get done – don’t throw your commitments onto other people.

Back to the empowerment part: It starts when we’re babies. Our parents tell us when and what to eat, when and what to wear, when and where to sleep. This spreads to childhood when we are told when and what to learn – and how. This goes on and on. Seems like the majority of people either do exactly what they are told, or else they rebel by purposefully doing the opposite.

I believe a middle ground on this is the best way to go. Yet, most of us don’t even know how to do this. We’ve lost our authentic voice — the part of us that makes us unique.

How can you start choosing the priorities you want to choose, so that you can live the life you truly want to live? Ask yourself these questions:

• What makes me happy?
• If I could be doing anything in the entire world right now, what would it be?
• What are the consequences of my actions if I don’t live up to my so-called responsibilities? Think short-term and long-term here. (Ignoring your young children so that you can go for a run is probably a really bad choice – small children’s needs need to always come first. If you can’t meet them, you need to find someone who can.)
• What are the consequences of my actions if I don’t pursue what I want to pursue? (Caveat on being the parent of small children again.)
• Will I regret my decisions today? Tomorrow? In ten years?

Think about the answers to those questions. They are important! Allow everyone you care about to think about these questions, too. Empowering our children, spouse, parents, relatives, and friends to pursue their passions will give everyone involved a happier existence and happier relationships. This is the key to a successful Unschooling family.

Related Articles:

• 10 Alternatives to: I told you so!
• Choosing Friends
• Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness — Unless you are under 18, of course
• Top 10: Reasons Why I’m Glad We Unschool
• Goals, Again

By: Lisa