Strive to Thrive!

I love the word, ‘Thrive’.  I consider it the outward expression of inward health; be it physical, emotional, spiritual health,or all three rolled into one.

I find myself in an interesting position as a mother of four grown children.  (Can I still call them ‘children’ then?)  I have taken a decidedly backseat role in their lives, a position that occasionally begs me to try and drive from there and yet doesn’t take long for me to see the futility of that!  Fortunately that is rarely necessary.

My children (they will always be my children) are thriving!  Their lives are not without challenges and yet they are finding ways to conquer them.  They are finding ways to face adversity, poverty, exhaustion, loneliness and simply not having enough hours in the day to do everything they want to do.  Each of them is on a pathway toward self-discovery, uncovering talents and abilities that perhaps have lain dormant.

As difficult as it is to admit, the distance between us seems to be contributing to their tendency to grow.  I don’t think I am the worst mollycoddler mother but I may have been a safety net that discouraged true courageous behavior.

I am witnessing true courageous behavior by every single one of them.  I feel blessed for the good choices they are making and the outstanding people they have chosen to join them in their lives.  They are taking care of their physical health by being active and avoiding unhealthy things.  They are taking care of their emotional health by looking out for one another and being supportive.  They are taking care of their spiritual health by actively following their faithful hearts toward righteous goals and commitments.

When a mother perceives her children thriving without her, it causes an internal battle.  The human tendency is to feel sorry for herself, that they don’t need her anymore.  On the other hand, I have never felt such gratitude and even just a little bit of pride that maybe I have contributed to their successful lives.

Keep going.  Keep making good choices.  Keep picking yourselves up when you skin your knees.  That used to be my job but I am turning it over to you.

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Ardith's Quest

I have found blogging to be a great way for old and new friends to become acquainted with the real me; to sort out and organize some of the thoughts that swim in my head; to give my day-to-day routine a little more purpose and direction. My blog represents my quest for new activities, new ventures, all the while finding the inspirational message in everyday living. Join me in my search for meaning, for worthwhile pursuits, for discovery. We are all in this wondrous life together. Let's make it a joyous journey and live the lives we want to remember.

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