Facts of Life

                Families are strengthened when parents teach their children the facts of life.  We must teach the rising generation the most important of these facts, including the fact that life is not fair and no one has the power to make it fair.  Life is not fair; it is what we make of it.

                Life is not fair.  Some of us are born into families with wealth and began life in easier circumstances.  Some of us are born with the ability to be athletes, musicians, or artists, but none of us are both with all of the talents.  Some of us are born into loving families while others are born into abusive families.  Some have great intelligence while others struggle.  Some are born organizers while other never put order into their lives.  No, live is not fair!

                Texas native Matthew McConaughey,an Academy Award-winning actor, recently spoke to the graduates of the University of Houston.  A summary of his message would be a warning to stay out of the “entitlement trap.”  “Life’s not fair, it never was, it isn’t now, and it won’t ever be.  Do not fall into the trap, the entitlement trap, of feeling like you’re a victim.  You are not.”

                One of the most important truths that parents must teach their children is that life is not fair but what we make of it.  If we convince the rising generation that they are victims and can never rise out of their problems, they will sit back and wait to be rescued.  When they understand that success or failure is up to them, they will accept their responsibility and work for success.  We can strengthen the rising generation, families, communities, and nations by understanding and teaching this simple fact:  life is not fair.