When we are children, we are taught and guided by our parents. We watch them as they model behaviors, and we subconsciously imprint those behaviors into our being. Some of the things that we’ve picked up from our parents are positive and some are negative. This holds true for other family members as well. We may have had grandparents or aunts and uncles who taught us a variety of things as we grew up. With time, we grow and develop into young adults, molded by the influence of a variety of people…family, friends, teachers, etc.
Once we are grown, we discover that we can either follow in the footsteps of our role models and create a life path that is similar to theirs or we can march to the beat of our own drum. The decision to break generational cycles is a much more challenging path to take in life. Those who choose to create their own distinct life path are often met with criticism, judgement, resentment, ridicule, and all sorts of other negative energies. Some people are even disowned by their very own family due to making the choice to go on their own unique independent path.
An example of external resistance would be when a woman or man has chosen not to have children in their lifetime, and are often questioned by others as to why they would make such a choice. An individual who came from an uneducated family who labored to survive, may decide to become the first in their family to get an education. This person may discover that their family is resistant to such a choice, and they have to maneuver through lots of discouragement from their loved ones. The family may pressure them to continue to work on the family farm or follow some other family traditions, instead of pursuing an educational goal. There are many people who simply want to live someplace other than the location where they grew up. Their friends and family may scowl at the idea of them moving away and relocating. These are just a few examples of when someone may face pushback from others when they decide to follow their own path in life instead of conforming to the usual generational cycles.
The dynamics within certain families can be toxic. The children in these families may grow up witnessing screaming, yelling, and abuse of all sorts. They may be growing up with parents who are addicts of drugs and/or alcohol. These kids suffer from a plethora of experiences which range from abandonment to emotional and physical abuse. Often when the kids in such living conditions grow up, they decide to break free from those situations. They set out to create a better life for themselves. Some are successful at breaking the unhealthy family dynamic, while others find themselves unwittingly recreating it.
Sometimes a parent may wish for their child to take over their family business. The parent spends years teaching and molding the child to one day lead in the organization. Friction may arise when that child grows into a young adult and voices their disinterest in taking over the family business. There are many, many examples of family imposed expectations upon the newer generations. Although the family generally means well in their expectations, they fail to embrace the fact that the newer generation has a brighter future ahead. They may be the pioneers (or rebels) who embody the strength required to carve a new path for the future. These courageous souls often advance not only for themselves, but also for their family.
It is a true tragedy when someone lives a life that others have coerced them to live, and they end up dying without ever having lived the life that they were meant to live. They forfeit the opportunity to live in authenticity and express their true inner self. This type of life often ends with immense regret.
Ultimately, each of us is granted our particular life to live and learn from. We must find the courage within ourselves to break generational cycles and to follow our own inner guidance. We must be bold enough to live by the beat of our own drum despite our family traditions and wishes. This may require us to take the time to heal our childhood wounds, in order to get to an internal state where we can be our authentic self and live our truth. Loving ourselves enough to not only heal the past, but to propel ourselves to a healthier and more fruitful and fulfilling future is the key to a complete life. It is important that we live a whole life for ourselves despite what others may wish us to do.
When we break free from familiar cycles that we have experienced, we give permission to future generations to do the same. They are granted the freedom to live authentically and to pursue their own life’s path. They are released to be their true self. Being one of those warriors who ventures off to carve a new path for themselves is the vision of pure self-love and divine truth. All it takes is one person having the courage to break generational cycles, and to step out into their own light and truth.
Be bold, be brave, be a trailblazer!