Yesterday, another compelling conversation with Deb Ozarko in her Deep Adaptation Forum Q & A with Jem Bendell.
In these challenging times, the information shared and perspectives explored will (I believe) make great sense to those who are struggling to come to terms with that which is unfolding before their very eyes. I encourage you to find a moment to allow this exchange to enter into your day-to-day ‘reality’.
As meaningful as it all was for me, there was one moment that grabbed me by the solar plexus and, still, has not yet let go. That moment came when a viewer from Greece asked this simple question: ‘How do we talk to our children?” Wow…. a shot to the gut…..
My children are now in their early 30’s. I speak with them about climate change as I would to any other adult: I expect them to choose for themselves. I do not pull back on my own thinking, nor do I seek to carve out theirs for them. I respect who they are and what they hold as meaningful. My expectations for and of them begin and end with one simple question of myself: Am I willing to be mySelf, saying what is true for me, out loud and in their presence? What they do with that is up to them.
But the children…. that is another moment entirely. My Grandson is now 13 months young. I often look at him and wonder: what will his world be like? The echo of that deeply concerned man’s enquiry still rings in my ears… and I wonder how my little Grandson’s parents will engage with him. I know how I will.
For me, I see no difference in this moment than I did in those many, many moments with my much-younger sons. Taking a page from the traditions of the Ancient Hawaiians, I sought to create a Space that would invite and allow them to unfold into their natural curiosity. The most compelling thing for me was to be willing to be fully authentic; to be honest; to be the living example to my children that they would know three simple things:
- no topic is off limits. I will engage authentically with them on anything.
- I am willing to be truthful with them.
- their emotions are unique to them and a legitimate part of their experience of being human.
In this, I sought to create a relationship with them that would allow their thinking around any topic to evoke their own wisdom, with the support and assistance of mine. In today’s world – all those others things being present – I would take advantage of any given moment to introduce and reinforce certain notions into their precious worlds. Notions like:
- things change… and as they do, we learn more about ourselves.
- when things change, we can seek within that change that which allows us to become more… to become better versions of ourselves.
- their is a natural genius in the expressions of all Life – our opportunity is to find the intelligence in that genius for ourselves.
- no matter what happens, we will be ok. No matter what happens, I will always look for you until I find you.
My behaviours model for my little Grandson what is possible for him, with his own. I don’t need to say a word. Whether I find delight in his curiosities or I find irritation – my message will land powerfully into his perception of himself, and his permission to express.
We don’t need to teach our children about climate change – they will know that intuitively and bring the enquiry to you. We do need to teach our children how to claim their resourcefulness and resilience. That, they will need… in spades.
Personally? I believe we need to teach our children about their own intuitive knowing; to trust themselves; to invite and allow every part of their Being into their expressions of Life; to respect and trust their inner cues… their feelings, insights, intuitions, etc… and know that to act on these is a Divine Right. To take about climate is to move their attention outside themselves. Many will seek to do that with our (collective) children. I stand firm in my determination and willingness to attend their greater Self. In that, I trust completely that the rest will take care of itself.
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