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How do you define that which is difficult, and how do you approach it? And, do you?
Despite the appearance as mundane self-help, these are really the seminal questions in parenting. To understand why, you must think in generalities because defeating social pressure and trusting the power of letting go are neither simple nor part of our culture.
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There is a lot to manage when outdoors in sub-zero conditions, especially for people raised in the South. For example: my hands go numb regularly when we ski, so chosing to climb this mountain consistently throughout the winter seems scary. I'm not sure what to expect, but somehow we'll figure it out.
What exactly is parenting, anyway, besides self-reflection and applied awareness? That, at least, is what his presence in my life has taught me. And although people in general were never a motivator for me, guiding him has emphasized the focus required to forget popular positions and choose my own. How else would he learn about life’s inherent discomfort if we didn’t teach him a little elective hardship?