The man who begins to go to bed forty minutes before he opens his bedroom door is bored; that is to say, he is not living.
Arnold BennettRead
I realise I might pass down an incurable illness to my son, but living based on what might go wrong seems like less and less of a life as I get older. The one thing I can try to control is whether I teach my child to be ruled by anxiety, by fear. That's something that gets passed down, too.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the importance of living life fully rather than being held back by fears and anxieties, especially when it comes to raising children.
Victor Lavalle reflects on the complexities of parenthood, acknowledging the potential to pass on not only hereditary conditions but also fears and anxieties. He emphasizes that while he cannot control every aspect of life, he can influence how his child approaches challenges and fears, advocating for a life led by courage rather than anxiety.
Themes
FearAnxietyParenthoodCourageLifeGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a parenting workshop to discuss the importance of raising emotionally resilient children.
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