Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm - (Greek: enthousiasmos) originally meant inspiration or possession by a divine afflatus or by the presence of a god. Today it simply means intense enjoyment, interest or approval.

The problem with enthusiasm is that without effort it can dwindle and disappear altogether. Looking back at your life so far, can you a remember a time when you were enthusiastic about something and then as time passed by the strong feeling gradually slipped away from you.

Whilst enthusiasm is a powerful emotion which helps drive us forward and links heavily with motivation and passion you need a support system in place to ensure that it doesn’t slip away.

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."
Madame Swetchine, The Writings of Madame Swetchine

The support system can take on many different forms which is personal to you. It can be a physical support in the form of a close family member or friend, it can be detached support in the form of a role model or belief system. Whatever your support system is, it needs to be in tune with the root cause of your enthusiasm in order for it to play a fully supporting role.

The problem we have however is that too many people in our lives choose to destroy enthusiasm by sharing their view and opinion. How many times have you been enthusiastic and passionate about something, only to find that someone else thinks different and goes out of their way to tell you! Unless you have a strong support system in place, your enthusiasm will take a battering and before you know it your left wondering why you even felt it in the first place, “shattered dreams”

As a teenage parent, enthusiasm is key to the development of your child. Have you ever heard of the phrase “behaviour breeds behaviour”? Well, taking enthusiasm as an example, if you demonstrate enthusiasm around your child about the things you value most or indeed what you’d like your child to value then your behaviours will rub off on them! Take getting dressed, a simple example, which ordinarily, to you and I, it’s not a thing to be enthusiastic about, but for a developing child it can be essential to them wanting to do it. The best thing you can hope for is that your child wants to get dressed in a morning and feels excited about it. Imagine the hassle and heartache you’ll never have to endure all because you display the enthusiasm for getting dressed in a morning.

A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.
Mary Kay Ash

A simple example yes, but something which you need to consider as a parent, think about all the little things that are minor to you and I, but vitally important to your child’s development. Then think about what you can do to display enthusiasm about it. But remember, your support network is key and all your hard work can be destroyed if other family members and friends do not support your approach!

But remember above all, that when your child displays an enthusiasm for something that you support them, encourage them and get involved with it. The last thing you want is you to be that person who destroys dreams rather than encouraging them to grow and shaping their future.

If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.
Bruce Barton

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