Nurture vs. Nature

This is one of my favorite topics. It seems I can go months without thinking about it, but it eventually finds its way back to my medulla. When a child is born, so is the thought, is this one going to be on the easier side of the scale or the more difficult side? When a child throws a tantrum we wonder, was that made because of the parents influence or because that is just how that child is? When a teenager makes a choice that opposes a parent we ask, is it because of the parents beliefs or is it because they were always going to make that choice?

On the scale of Nature vs Nurture, I have a feeling there are a lot of numbers in between. Each of our parents are a piece of us so in a way that is nature and a lot of the nurturing part has to do with the nature of our physical needs. Therefor nature and nurture are so intertwined that they become complimentary to our individual growth. So when that child is born they may be naturally more like sweet and quiet Aunt Min and the nurturing may bring out their tendency to be feisty. Or when a child throws a fit, it may be because the nurturing is not fitting the child's natural urge to be a fighter. Needless to say, when that teenager opposes the parents they could be testing the balance of nature and nurture to find their own number on the scale.

Either way, I am blessed to have parents who take the time to nurture where they can and leave it up to my nature to truly find my path. Nature and nurture become the artistry of life.

Even in Despair...

The very definition of despair is hopelessness and yet even in despair there is hope. It is the very last thread that links despair to human nature. Why? Well, to despair is to make a final choice, a choice that leaves no room for doubt. It is like looking into the deepest abyss in the ocean and saying there is no end. Is there no end, even in the deepest abyss of the ocean? I should think not. And why should I think not? Because even in the finality of endless hopelessness, there is doubt. And doubt in despair is hope. And with that last thread, the world can hang on.