Parenting Self

I have come to understand
that before I can be
a good parent to my son,
I must become a true parent
to my Self.

If I am not honest
with my Self,
how can I expect
honesty from another?

If I am not able
to demonstrate discipline,
how can I demand
discipline from another?

If I hurt my Self
with unkind words
and thoughts of hate and abuse,
how can I heal
or bring love to this world?

So I am first and foremost
a parent to my Self.
I nurture within my heart
seeds of life I want to see
inherited from me.

Kindness.
Self-respect.
Discipline.
Goodness.
Love.

As these seeds grow stronger
within my Self,
they bear fruit I can share
with others.

To be a parent
is to be a gardener
in the land of hearts.

Plant good seeds.
Shine the light of God’s love
on them each moment.
And experience the miracle
of Parenthood.