With all the recent events in the world this last year, it got me thinking about the life lessons our grandchildren and young people need now.

Some years ago, I was in conversation with a religious man who asked me, “What does the word holy mean to you?”

After much thought, I answered with my personal thoughts. Then, I asked him, “Do you know any person or persons who, in your mind, is holy?”

“I know one man,” he answered. “The Dalai Lama.”

I never forgot our conversation.

Sharing Life Lessons Through Family Time

In 2018, after a delicious Sunday brunch in our apartment with family and friends, some of us sat down in the den to watch a movie. It was a gorgeous sunny day and our apartment was aglow with sunshine, laughter, and a poignant flick, Seven Years in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt.

For those of you who have not seen the movie, it is the biographical war drama of a young, German, unmarried father with a baby son who runs away from his responsibilities and goes mountaineering in British India, to what is now Pakistan.

World War II begins, and he is imprisoned. Then, he escapes and winds up in the city of Lhasa, Tibet the home of the Dalai Lama. The man becomes absorbed in an unfamiliar way of life. He meets the 14th Dalai Lama, a young boy at the time, who convinces him to return to Austria and his son. The dialogue between the young man and the boy reminded me that relationships can open our minds to a better and more meaningful life, our spiritual sides.

Another Life Lesson Your Grandchildren Need Now

Darling, I savored this movie every bit as much as I did the movie, Life of Pi. I watched Life of Pi years ago with four of my grandchildren. I took them to see it after I had already seen it because I wanted to introduce the boys to the young Pi. Pi explores issues of spirituality and practicality from an early age, surviving 227 days after a shipwreck while stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.

For all of you who are moms, aunties and grandmothers, I suggest you spend a Saturday or Sunday with your kids, make a fresh batch of popcorn and watch these movies. Hopefully, the character traits of the 14th Dalai Lama, as a young boy, and the young Pi will affect their human spirits.

It is powerful for our grandchildren to be exposed to these youngsters who see the importance of meaningful spirituality with their family, friends, nature, and the world around them. Then, perhaps serve them a dinner of pizza and a large salad with chocolate sundaes around the kitchen or dining room table and talk about the lessons they learned.

If you live far away from your grandchildren, perhaps you can send them the movies with a personal letter?

Lessons in Spirituality

It is very hard for adults to explain spirituality to their children or their grandchildren. Some of us don’t even understand how this wonderful and peaceful quality works ourselves. We are still searching, and that’s OK. By looking, we are sure to eventually find our way.

In my opinion, the best teacher to explain the true meaning of spirituality is the 14th Dalai Lama. The 14th Dalai Lama’s commitment to promoting positive values includes forgiveness, self-discipline, tolerance, compassion, and contentment. He is a spiritual leader like no other, and he highlights the importance of happiness and peace.

Dalai Lama Quotes To Share

Here are some of his quotes that you can share with your grandchildren and even your adult children:

1.  “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

2.  “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy of kindness.”

3. “In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.”

4. “Compassion naturally creates a positive atmosphere, and as a result, you feel peaceful and content.

5. “Someone else’s action should not determine your response.”

Have you broached religion and spirituality with your grandchildren? How did they receive your advice? You can comment below or find me on Facebook and even…Instagram. Let’s chat!

 

If you enjoyed this article about the 5 life lessons your grandchildren need now, please subscribe. You will get each daily story delivered straight to your inbox.

[[CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE]]