Principles, Parenting & Purpose

Sacred Duty

May 27, 2020

Bringing children into this world creates a sacred relationship.

As a parent, whether you fully realize it or not, you have a sacred duty. Both to guide them, protect them from the world, and to grow them so they can protect themselves. And… to protect them from yourself.

You’re not perfect. So, the real trick is to channel all the wisdom, all the patience, all the understanding into being the best you can be for them… all the while knowing that you’re not really that… you’re just that for the time that it’s necessary. …if you’re lucky.

In his 2017 Maps of Meaning lecture series on YouTube, Jordan B. Peterson put it:

“You have this opportunity to have this pristine relationship with someone. Like a relationship you have never had with anyone, because the kid really is just there to love you. …and you can try to keep that relationship pristine. And that’s so fun, it’s so fun to try to do that. It’s really amazing.”

Earlier in that same session, he talks about “carrying a load”—taking on responsibility as a source of meaning—aiming at the highest imaginable goal, and working toward that.

One responsibility we might choose to take on is bringing a new human into this world, protecting it, wisely guiding it, and loving it. To do that well is a pretty lofty goal, and at times, may be a tremendous burden. It’s a choice which becomes an obligation; a sacred duty. It’s not a choice which should be taken lightly.

Woe to the person who takes on that duty without understanding themselves first.