Ideas Should Not be a Mold, but a Compass

Are we putting so many parameters on our children in this society that we risk potential?!

Imagine, for instance, that Michael Jordan’s parents had put a prescribed size of a shoe on him once he could walk. Let’s say this was a recommended practice at the time, “in the best interest of the child.” If the parents were expected to make sure, he was growing at the rate he should. But, while they were elated that he did indeed reach that growth milestone, his feet were physically restricted from reaching his personal potential. His greatest potential!  And if the same reasoning had been applied to the rest of his growth, the same outcome would be inevitable. In this way, he would become the healthy norm, not the basketball wielding powerhouse he was intended to be. But parents, society, and the greater whole didn’t know that in this scenario. They were comfortable in making sure he was where he “should” be, not realizing where he “could” be.

Now this entire metaphor is easier to be appalled at for several reasons. We know where Michael Jordan, in particular, is supposed to be and what he’s best at doing. Additionally, it’s easier to see something tangible like a physical situation, though, even that has been ignored in lieu of strong societal opinion at times.

The point I’m getting at and the thoughts I’m exploring is this, it’s harder to put your finger on and wrap your mind around the possibility of the braces we sometimes may be putting on children, ourselves, and others trying to measure everyone with the same yardstick. For example, Michael Jordan probably would not have become an excellent basketball player if he spent every bit of his youthful time occupied with something altogether different. I imagine however that he naturally was drawn to basketballs, hoops, and courts.

Everyone should have the freedom to decide, without hindrance, where there own family should be. Thomas Jefferson said; “(if) it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.“ Almost all things that do not fall into this category should be left to one’s own consciousness.

Even the founding fathers recognized that they were merely stating or pointing out an unquestionable and universal truth when they wrote;  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

In closing, I hope we will allow our hearts to be free, our minds to wonder, and our eyes to see others as those with the same unalienable rights. And, when we for a moment or time forget; as this world is filled with much to mask our thoughts; we return to the truth of Who endowed it.

Sonya Payne is a blessed, happy, homeschooling momma of four! Her school theme has always been, “that they learn to love learning!” Sonya is excited to be a part of The Schoolhouse Writers team and is currently pursuing publishing and licensing. She is passionate about art and writing which has been passed onto her children. When not writing and creating art she loves ranching and exploring nature with her family in their mountain home.