A Tiny Life Lesson | August: Choose the Story You Want Them to See

What if the stories causing us the most pain are the ones our own minds have written?

My daughter turned three a few days ago, and somewhere between celebrating who she is and imagining who she will become, I found myself thinking about the example I want to set for her.

Our minds are remarkably good at filling in the blanks. We read between the lines even when there may not be any lines to read between and create conclusions from incomplete or subjective information. Before we know it, those assumptions can turn into stories that make us feel anxious, discouraged, or out of step with the world around us.

This month, I realized that while I may not always be able to control what happens around me, I can take greater control of the meaning I give it.

Seeing life through my daughter’s eyes helped bring that lesson into focus. Like every parent, I want the very best for my children. I want them to be optimistic, resilient, confident, and protective of their peace. But I also know that children learn far more from the lives we lead than from the advice we give them.

That realization led me to ask myself an important question: Am I living in a way I would want my children to follow?

Our past experiences naturally shape how we think, respond, and protect ourselves. However, those patterns do not have to be permanent. We can recognize when our thoughts are leading us toward fear instead of truth. We can question the stories we have created, choose a healthier perspective, and decide that our past will inform us without controlling us.

So, this August, I made a clear decision to choose optimism. Not because life will always be easy, but because optimism allows me to move forward with intention. When something stands in the way of my family’s peace, I will address it. When my mind begins filling in the blanks with fear, I will pause and look for another perspective. And when I am unsure of the path ahead, I will ask whether my choices reflect the life I hope my children will one day create for themselves.

The lesson I am carrying forward is simple: I cannot control every circumstance, but I can take charge of the story I tell myself about it, and I can choose to live a story worth following.

What story has your mind been telling you lately, and is it helping you create the life you want yourself and your children to follow?