On instilling the values in one’s own offspring, translated…
Having a child is a joy, since my son came into my life, seeing how his smiles are so innocent, I’d felt, that all the hard work I’d put in so far was more than worth it. As he was a young child, he was like an angel, giving joy to all around him; and I’d gladly taught him to recite my favorite philosophy, “Lao-Tzu”.
All the teachers he’d ever had told me the same thing, “Your son is very well behaved.” Surely, on the path of growing up, he’d not, given me, any troubles at all. After he had served his term in the armed services, he’d found a job temporarily close to home, working as a security guard, and, he’d gotten used to working as a security guard. As my relatives and friends heard, that being a bio-engineering major, he was working as a security guard, they were all very surprised from the start, but slowly, they’d gotten, used to it, work is hard to find, and he was willing to work, and that is fine by me. My friends and relatives often consoled him, that he should climb up higher, that he should be on the lookout for a better job; but seeing how he’s used to the schedules and workings of a security guard, I can only, allow him to just be, after all, it’s his life, he’s the one, running it.
From before, he’d gone for an interview at a namely builder technology company, and as his older schoolmate who worked there called him to tell him that he’d gotten the job, the day before that, he’d signed on with the security guard company, and, just like that, he’d worked as a security guard for three years. During these three years, his geek nature had taken over, other than not having any gatherings with his coworkers after work, he’d come home after work, to watch anime with me; he knew I loved those detective series, and would prepare the animes on the subject matter. We’d eaten together, patching up clothes, or exercise together, as we watched the animations, we’d engaged in discussions of the storyline. If I’m out on business trip, he’d saved the episode that I’d missed, he’s truly, very well-rounded.
My friends and relatives would often remind me, to constantly remind him, to find himself a girlfriend, to find a better job or to take the public positions examinations. At first, I’d had troubles, accepting what he did for work too, but, after I’d thought about it, although he’d not made that much money, but he was able to, live life, peacefully. His values of life were to keep it simple, and would accompany his mom whenever he could, just like Lao-Tzu in the modern day era, which was the exact belief I’d hoped, to pass to him. And now, I’m regrettable, that I’d not had him recite the beliefs of Confucius, but Confucius held the belief of how when the world is a mess, one should not take up a government post.
Looking at my friend’s son, he’d had his mind set on entrepreneurship, not knowing how much money of his parents’ he’d squandered away already, and, he’d only earned, very little, and the two of us, aren’t we, living the small blessings of family life right now. On top of that, at his age, he’d not looked for a girlfriend actively, that, is truly an oddity, as an open parent, there’s nothing I can do, but to just, let him be.
He’d often told me, to not let others know what his work was, fearing that they’d belittle me as his mother; I’d believed, that it’s okay, after all, he’s working hard, not stealing, not robbing, there’s no shame in what he does. It’s just that sometimes, he’d felt that he had NO social status, that nobody is paying any attention to him. If he felt this way, then, why not, when he’s still quite young, work harder, toward his dream job? Maybe, he is, already working toward that, just that I hadn’t noticed yet. A lecturer on Buddhist belief would always said, that his wishes for his children are “healthy, happy, with a kind heart”, the rest comes second; and my belief is, other than being rich and well-to-do, I’d rather be surrounded by the ones I loved!
So, you DO see how this son had taken in his mother’s values as his own, right? And, that, is just how influential parents can be toward their young, without being aware that they have that sort of an effect on the younger generations.