“Your thoughts, and your thoughts alone, will set you in motion. Your thoughts will yield the inspiration, creativity, and determination you need. Your thoughts will orchestrate … magic and inspire the Universe. Your thoughts will carry you to the finish line if you just keep thinking them. Never give up. Aim high.”
– Mike Dooley, The Complete Notes from the Universe.
The quote reminded me of when I was listening to a podcast by a famous person (G) who was talking about his teenage son (R). R wanted to know what he needed to do to be successful like his father. Except, R told his dad he didn’t want him to say, “you have to work hard.”
G was perplexed, because he’d worked hard for his success and didn’t know what his son wanted to hear. What else could he say other than, be responsible? His son didn’t want to hear that either.
G thought his son wanted to be told some secret ingredient that would make the climb to success easier. Something that would spare him having to work hard and give him a short cut.
I could see why G might think that. Sometimes parents are working so hard to be a good parent, they forget what it was like to be a child or teen.
Parents think that I don’t understand because I’m not a parent. Eh, maybe I don’t. That’s fine, but I do remember clearly what it was like being a child and a teen. Sometimes, I can think from their perspective because I don’t have to be the parent.
Working hard does need to be included, but as a teen, here is what I would’ve wanted to hear:
Be yourself.
Be genuine.
Never pretend, because others can tell when you’re being fake. They won’t feel they can trust you.
People will love you for being you, because you are lovable.
Have integrity.
Be kind.
Be confident in your skills.
Pray for guidance and pay attention for answers to come along the way.
Have goals and work toward them.
Any failures are an education for success. Do it different next time.
Keep at it and . . . yes . . . work hard.
But again, the most important ingredient is to be who you are. Because there is no one in the world like you who can bring to the world what you have to offer. You have the special ingredient for success.
At least for me, when I was a teen, I would’ve wanted to know that my successful parent believed in me, loved me for me, and believed I could be just as successful. But, what do I know?
Maybe it’s just me.
Lori's Lane 
I agree with Anneli. I’m a parent, but some of the best insights that I got about parenting came from non-parents. I think they’re more neutral and can often see more easily.
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Thanks, Lynette. Parents are often so emotionally involved with their kids they can’t see some situations neutrally, especially if it’s a high-stress situation. Good to know we’re on the same page.
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Yes, agreed. Parents sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees – I certainly experienced that!
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Hi Lynette. Thanks for pointing out the neutrality of someone who isn’t caught up in the middle of the parent/child relationship. Sometimes an outsider can see the bigger picture. I appreciate your open mindedness. Thanks for sharing. 🤗
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You’re welcome. 🙂
I totally agree. Outsiders aren’t emotionally involved and have the clearer view.
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👍🤗🌹
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Just because you don’t have kids, doesn’t mean you don’t know anything about them. I don’t have kids either but I remember being one and watching my parents. I learned a lot from them about all sorts of things. Good post, Lori, but I don’t agree with your last couple of sentences, starting with “But what do I know?…”
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Hi Anneli. I found that parents don’t like nonparents giving them advice. Which is understandable to a point. But, yes, that doesn’t mean we don’t know anything. Just said those last couple of sentences because it’s how some parents have treated me. Thank you for reading and the nice comment.
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