Meghan fixes Prophet's hair.
HE: "I messed it up again, Mom! See?! I'll never figure it out!"
ME: "If you had any idea how many mistakes I've made in my life- and how certain I am that I'll make more. We can't give up when we mess up. And we can't follow the crowd just because we fear the uncertainty of making our own mistakes."
HE: "I know. But I just don't want to be wrong."
ME: "Why?"
HE: "Because it makes you look weak. Like not having a good come-back."
ME: "Bullies always have great come-backs, but they miss out on sunsets and love. They have lots of friends based on the power they exert and the possessions they leverage, but fear is a sad way to connect with others."
HE: "But what about looking weak?"
ME: "What's wrong with looking weak?"
HE: "People don't like you if you look weak."
ME: "People will invent their own reasons for not liking you. You can't control other people or decide how they should think about you."
HE: "Then what am I supposed to do?"
ME: "Live, learn, and never think you know better."
HE: "But what about power?"
ME: "Forget power. It's a tapeworm."
