The Best Present Ever

Sometime during mid-life it dawns on us that we have inherited the best attributes of our parents very much as we have inherited their struggles. It is much easier to see this fact in our in-laws and our spouse, but eventually, we can see it for ourselves as well. What should we do, accuse our parents for having left this homework for us? Hardly, a spiritual path teaches us that life is the biggest present there is. We also learn that our homework - the stuff that we wanted to run away from for parts of our lives - sets us up perfectly for our spiritual path. So we are grateful for our parents for everything they have done for us; for everything they have given us, as well as for the homework they couldn't quite finish themselves. We are glad to shoulder their burden, just as we know that one day our children will take over a little unfinished business from us.

The challenges that our parents left for us are close to home. They are in our genes and they are ingrained in our behavior. Everything they have given us are presents, only some of them are diamonds in the rough. All presents will be beautiful once we have polished them sufficiently. Celebrate the body your parents have given you; cherish the love you received from them, and honor the life mission they sent you on. We have learned on our paths that our problems and perceived short-comings have deep spiritual meaning to us. Without these pains, these stresses and these difficulties, we would never reached where we are today. And the law of the Tao is that the here and now is just perfect from the perspective of bringing us home. 

If you are reading this note, why don't you reach out to your parents and your in-laws today and thank them for everything they have done for you and your family. Know that as you celebrate the connection with them today, your children will celebrate one day their connection with you. We are all one and we can all unwrap the best present ever together. Enjoy!

By Christian and Su Zhen