Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Of course many of us have witnessed the phenomenal outpouring of talent patiently waiting for “Idol” auditions. There remains a standing controversy over stage moms pushing kids into careers, and there is also a claim that talent scouts will soon be searching the Elementary sports teams for rising stars.

Parents seem accepting of these realities. This could be considered future planning, developing self-discipline and a strong work ethic for today’s world. But what skills should be considered fundamental today? What are kids really striving for?

For many kids, living in a material society twists the natural desire for accomplishment into a desire for stardom, riches, and status. Perhaps it's an urge not deeply examined, and often ignored. But this push from our souls to achieve keeps gently nudging us to try.

There is a noble soul in each of us waiting for respect and honor. But we must first get respect for our souls/selves from our own bodies and minds. If we want genuine respect and admiration from others we need to work at respecting, perhaps even loving ourselves.

It should become a valued priority to listen to our inner voices and be open and receptive to whom we discover our selves to be. And what we discover our paths to be. We should face ourselves head on, without fear. Not getting to know ourselves is a stumbling block toward growth and achievement. Passing over becoming "within" ourselves to have titles and material things.

We need to make friends with ourselves. It is crucial we develop the coping skills to face negative emotions as well as positive experiences. To really get to know ourselves requires humility. An unassuming nature should become a learned and practiced art. We more often tend to rally behind ego or self-loathing. “Being” instead of becoming.

To remain directed and not lost, to feel passionate and not missing something, we should care for, accept, be able to laugh at, and with our selves. Equip our selves to take on our personal challenges. And increase conscious understanding of what our own emotions and cravings really mean.

For example, when we hunger, it is rarely food we seek, but too often food we take. We like the connectedness of our addictions and habits. We rarely handle the vibrations of a different frequency well.

Self-discipline and inner strength must be developed and practiced to direct our actions, so we can maintain a balance with exercise and image, eat food with health and moderation in mind, and direct our curiosity.

Many kids today are convinced they will attain fame and fortune. The ways of achieving success seem clear and straightforward. But the flip side of this reality is that many kids are lacking self-control and have a fear of failure so intense that potential and skills are left undeveloped.

Hollywood is a plane ticket away. An unsatisfied soul is forever. It may ease this burden for our children to offer examples of healthy striving from ourselves and begin an interesting dialogue on the meaning of success with them. Learn new skills together.