The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer.
—Theodore Roosevelt
It is so easy to fall into the clutches of forces like contempt and wallflower nihilism and superiority. But this kind of cynicism, a wise man once said, is really a kind of cowardice. It voids creativity, collaboration, and connection. And we model it almost unthinkingly. Little comments under our breath; making fun of stuff that makes us uncomfortable; rationalizing our avoidance of things we’d rather not do or deep down know we don’t do well. These choices are passed on so easily to impressionable children who are always watching.
Our kids came into the world with fresh eyes, a full heart, and so much energy. Don’t deprive them of these forces. Lift them up. Let them be earnest. Let them care and try. Better yet, let them infect you with their sincerity and the clarity of their passion.
Whatever you do, don’t let your cynicism infect them.