For this Sunday, October 19th, the focus for our meditation
will be on Unconditional Support. An HBO documentary titled, “State of Play:
Trophy Kids,” covers four families in which the parents obsessively try to mold
their child’s athletic abilities. The
film is uncomfortable and disturbing to watch as the often domineering,
sometimes tyrannical adults manage to remove all the joy from what should be
play. Children are reduced to tears as
parental coaches incessantly berate them for mistakes. It becomes clear the parents are trying to
live vicariously through their “child athletes” and have aspirations of ultimately
gaining a return on their investment when the child turns pro. However, there is a fine line between healthy
parental support and unhealthy domination.
In a post-documentary roundtable discussion former NFL
quarterback Todd Marinovich, who was notoriously molded and consequently
damaged by his father, speaks of the impact a parent’s obsession can have on a
child. Where does the line between
healthy and unhealthy behavior become crossed?
As Todd states, one indication is “in how do you react when I play
poorly.” Rather than offering Unconditional Support, the unhealthy response
is to criticize, harming the child’s sense of self-esteem. Such parental bullying is not restricted to the
world of athletics. The same scenario
plays out when it comes to any perceived talent. Reality television shows abound of obsessive
parents who try to push their children into dance, modeling, or any other
endeavor where they hunger for eventual fame.
The harm from such excessive oversight is long-lasting, robbing society
of well-adjusted adults. This week in
our prayer and meditation time let us ask that parents, coaches, teachers, and
any other adults who influence our children provide them with Unconditional Support. May our children learn to live, love, and be
themselves without fear of failure or disappointment.
In our efforts this week let us also continue to use the
energy of our prayers and meditation to amplify the light that covers and fills
this nation. As we perform our
meditation this week let us begin by re-energizing the brilliance and power of
the light we create. Just as before,
begin by forming a concentrated ball of light that is so bright it is almost
impossible to look directly at it. Raise
this sphere of light up high over the entire nation and then let its rays
cascade down to create a solid, impenetrable dome of light that completely
covers every inch of our country. From
shore to shore and border to border let the entire continent be filled with
this brilliant, dense light that will serve to magnify the best and highest
qualities of our country and the people who live across its vast lands.
Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in
your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us,
and connect to the circle of others participating in this project.
Ask yourself how do I feel when I have received Unconditional Support even if I have
fallen short? How does it feel in my
body when I know I can attempt to achieve anything because of the Unconditional Support offered by those
around me? Then send the energy and
intention of those feelings to the nation.
Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express
thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.
If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share please let me know via e-mail to kmiritello@gmail.com
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