The success of a family is not determined by mystical forces or the judgment of others, but by the cultivation of one’s own virtues.
When parents nurture their children with care, they naturally grow into healthy adults. As the family thrives, so too does its fortune.
Conversely, when parents act impulsively and lose their sense of propriety in their interactions, their children may struggle to progress.
Considerate parents who truly love their children will plan for their long-term future. Conversely, parents with a lack of foresight may squander their children’s fortune in three key ways.
Mirroring Bad Habits: Limiting Children’s Horizons
Author Ma De once shared a story about a woman strolling through a market. As she passed food stalls, she would sample the goods, justifying it as a way to ‘taste-test’ without paying.
This allowed her to fill her stomach without spending money, but it also reflected a lack of integrity. Witnessing this, an elderly man shopping with his grandchild intervened. He explained that by emulating such behavior, his grandchild would only learn to be poor, a poverty of character that would be hard to change.
The term ‘poverty’ here refers to the accumulation of bad habits over time, which diminishes one’s character and ability to navigate life effectively. A person’s character influences their problem-solving skills and perception of the world.
Parents’ characters subtly shape their children’s attitudes toward learning and life and determine their future horizons.
In some cases, due to challenging family circumstances, parents may convey the idea that making money early is more important than education. This can limit children’s aspirations.
Parents should focus on improving their daily habits and setting a positive example for their children to follow.
When parents are overly particular about minor details and become confused, superficial, or overwhelmed by larger issues, children may struggle to find meaning in life and the motivation to work hard. A narrow parental perspective can unconsciously limit a child’s vision, gradually eroding their fortune.
Therefore, when parents broaden their horizons and cultivate positive habits, their children will naturally expand their own horizons and strive toward a brighter future.
“A person’s family shapes who they become.” A child’s upbringing significantly influences their life path.
Instead of solely focusing on their children’s success, parents should work on improving their daily habits and setting a positive example.
The Power of Words: Shaping Children’s Paths
In psychology, there’s a well-known effect called the Rosenthal Effect. This phenomenon was demonstrated in an experiment where psychologists visited an elementary school and randomly selected a group of students from each class.
They created a list of these students and informed the teachers that these children showed exceptional potential, but the list had to be kept confidential to avoid influencing the experiment.
Inspired by this information, the teachers began to praise and criticize these students less frequently. Over time, the selected students became more confident, optimistic, and successful.
Parents should strive to communicate with their children using kind and positive language.
Interestingly, the students on the list were chosen at random, but the power of praise and encouragement shaped their outlook and motivated them to strive for a better life.
Within families, language plays a crucial role. The things parents say can impact their children’s psychology and shape their future character. When parents frequently complain about life, their children may become confused and insecure when facing challenges.
Therefore, it’s essential for parents to communicate with kindness and positive energy. A positive attitude, gentle tone, and effective communication strategies contribute to a harmonious family environment, fostering happiness in children.
Parental Virtues: The Foundation of True Family Fortune
The descendants of Xie An, a renowned chancellor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in China, were known for their potential and respectability.
When asked about the secret to raising talented children, Xie An replied, “The best way to educate children is to be a good parent yourself.”
When pressed for specifics, he explained, “I educate my children through my words and actions.”
Children raised in families with strong moral traditions naturally absorb these virtues.
A parent’s behavior serves as a template for their child’s character development, laying the foundation for their future.
Children growing up in families with strong moral traditions will naturally absorb these virtues. Conversely, when parents act arrogantly and selfishly, their children may struggle to develop due to the negative influence of their words and actions.
