Breaking
cycle is a term we have all heard. Especially if we come from a family (and these days who doesn’t) that has a history of some type of violence and/or drug abuse whereas this phrase is told to us over and over. “Yes, you were dealt a bad hand in life. Life is not fair. But best thing you can do is raise your head and break cycle of violence in your life”.It seems to me that “break cycle” has to do with some type of horrific traumatizing event that may have been re-occurring for many years (abuse of a spouse or child) or a one time unexpected event (a mugging or rape that leaves a life long scar).
What if there is another cycle that is not so “in your face” apparent, but rather a silent cycle that is not recognized anymore as it is a universal disease that no one really notices anymore. What if dying an uncelebrated life is a cycle all of its own?
As I have been trying to break my own cycle of work, home, sleep, work, home, sleep after countless years, which can lead to nothing but contempt, bitterness and anger, I am trying to break cycle of teaching this very learned behavior to my son.
I have thoughts lately (seems to be all time now) that life is not forever. It could actually be gone tomorrow. Did I waste today? I may not have found cure for Aids or cancer or war, but did I make someone smile today? Did I have some type of positive influence on someone’s life, even if it was just my own? Did I enjoy sunrise?
My son came bounding down stairs other day looking for a battery. He recently received a metal detector for his birthday. Seeing as he is so in love with money at this stage of his life he could not wait to get that baby warmed up. He told tales of finding wild amounts of hidden treasures as only a young child could possibly imagine and what he would do with his massive new bounty.
“I would give 500 hundred to Gramps; I would put 500 hundred in bank; I would keep 200 hundred for myself; I would give 200 hundred to house and I would give all rest to poor people.”
My heart filled with joy with fact that “I would buy best video game systems and all video games I want for rest of my life”, (which is what we used to dream about) didn’t come out of his mouth. Houston, we may be making progress here.
I have vowed to raise my son with respect. Respect for people, respect for women and respect for himself. We step aside on sidewalk for adults and most especially women. We open door for others and most especially women. We treat other people and their property with respect as we would expect same from them.
