Making a Difference

“I AM IN THIS WORLD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

Let's talk about this, making a difference. When I started homeschooling my children, my first thought was, how different they would be and how they will change the future of this world. On a big scale? Sure, that would be wonderful but on a smaller scale, would be even better. Together we can make small differences to build something great. That’s what we are doing every day just by doing something different like homeschooling. I encourage my children to ask questions, explore nature, observe, and dream!

Growing up for me was something similar, but my spark faded quickly as I got older. By the time I was in 6th grade, my life had changed entirely…my curiosity for the world was taken over by gossip, drama, socializing, and cheerleading. I loved being a child. The older I got, the more I missed the innocence that came with it.

Throughout my life I wish I could say I had a lot of great role models, support, and people to guide me in the right direction, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case for me. Most of my life I had to learn from trial and error. Using my own senses to tell me right from wrong. I have a handful of people who I considered to be my role models. What I didn’t realize was how much I admired these people until I had children of my own and my dreams started to become a reality. I think of them daily and find myself thriving to be as good as they are. The love they shared, their organizational and multitasking skills, their drive and determination, caring and kindness, free spirited and chasing their dreams, inspired me to be the woman I am today. All my role models are Mothers and I really saw them as unstoppable forces.

For Mother’s Day my children wrote me letters and they described how they see me as a mother. My children really look up to me. They see me. They truly believe I am warrior witch, crafting up potions, making medicines, studying my books, staying strong, and always loving and caring for them. I am different, and not just from other people but from who I used to be two years ago. I have imprinted on their hearts. I have changed the way they see the world. They are free to do whatever their heart desires with their lives but knowing that I may have guided them to a direction that is less traveled brings me comfort because I know they will be making a difference just by doing something different. I have broken the societal norms in our family by homeschooling and relying more on nature for learning and medicine than traditional based book learning (there is a time and place for that of course).

I want to be the person that imprints on children’s hearts. I want to open the door of herbalism and encourage them to stay curious and innocent. I want them to believe in the magic and healing that can come from nature. It's time we give children back their childhood and strive to protect their innocence. This is how I want to change my world, to be the guardian and teacher of children.