Well, well, well…
It has been some time since we last spoke ;-) Possibly the longest stretch without a post since I started the blog.
A few very important events happening in my life, that I can’t wait to share with you all.
I will start with this one… “Growing Up!”
I have three sons. Three very special sons. And, we are all very close.
There was a time, when I couldn’t imagine the reality of them growing up. Heck, I couldn’t get my head around them going to sleep away camp.
I didn’t want to spend any time away from them. The reality that they might choose to live in a different place when they grew up, broke my heart.
I wish they wouldn’t grow up (was somewhere in the back of my head).
I wish they wouldn’t move away (was definitely somewhere in the front of my head).
I was scared they would grow up and not want to hug me anymore…
My dad was always like that… Deep down inside he “wished” I hadn’t embraced the United States. Rationally he says that is not true, but emotionally, there is no doubt in my mind he regretted it and wished against it before it even happened.
I couldn’t get my head around the “absolute truth” that my boys would grow up. Obviously, I did, but it rattled me. It made me sad. I wished in an irrational way it wouldn’t happen.
That was then…
As we have all grown up, them and I… I realize the truth is that they get to live their lives. Our role as their parents is to help them become independent, to be the spark that lights their fire to pursue their purpose, to be the love that gives them the confidence to construct their happiness, to be the force that encourages them to have an impact upon their world.
That is our biggest role. Our role is not to limit them, geographically or otherwise, but to set them FREE, to launch them, to inspire them, to believe in them…
So now, I am ok with whatever they pursue it. The truth is that they are healthy and ambitious and happy… and I want them to be the absolute biggest and happiest versions of themselves that they can possibly be. That is what I WANT for them… and no WISH of disharmony is ever going to get in the way of that.
Sure, I will miss them if they go, but I will design my life to be close to them no matter where they are. I will develop a relationship with them where I will be close to them regardless of any distance that divides us.
Sure, proximity is an amazing gift, and it would be ideal, but it is secondary and unnecessary for my happiness. I want them to follow their dreams… I want them to be happy… above all else… I want them to believe in their ability to be great!
So, this past week my oldest and my wife went to Malaysia! My son was invited by the Blue Ocean Institute. He created a business competition in our county and themed it with the “Blue Ocean Strategy” from the book of the same name. It turns out the Malaysian government is working with the Blue Ocean Institute. They paid for his trip to attend the annual meeting, and in addition to meeting the Prime Minister of Malaysia, my son and wife spent 3 hours enjoying a great discussion with the author of the book, Mr. Kim, who apparently is a warm, kind, inspired and special man, who also happens to be considered a business thought leader and is extremely sought after.
Without getting into it all, this entire experience for my son has been amazing. The wildest part is that he started it from nothing. From an idea, to an all paid trip to Malaysia in about 9 months.
He is growing up. I am growing up. And, he is fired up to have an impact upon this world.
Who knows where this opportunity will lead. He didn’t stand back and wish for things to happen for him. He embraced an opportunity. He wanted to leave a mark on the school system, and he is very much doing that. Along the way, he has created a new and amazing experience for himself that may very likely open up new doors.
No longer am I concerned with how far he will fly… on the contrary, I am thrilled for him and helping him take flight.
Speaking of flights - he and my wife got back from a 5 day around the world trip. It was all he hoped for and more...
I am enjoying the moment… enjoying having them home. I will enjoy watching him select his choices for college and go after them. It will be a joy to watch him pursue his dreams.
And, as for the thought of him going away for a week, or a month or even a year?
I don’t wish for him to stay any longer. I want for him to fly! I want him to be the biggest and greatest version of himself that he can possibly be. We are both growing up.
Yours in harmony,
Nestor