On Raising Children & Startups – #58
I had a notion pass through my skull around the meta narrative of raising children. What are we actually doing in the process of raising them?
We are ‘raising’ children. Let’s add a word:
We are ‘raising up’ children.
But to what? To whom are we raising ‘up’ our children to? This sounds like an offering.
Giving to Something that Transcends You
A steering wheel on the car, by itself is useless. It ‘gives up’ itself for the greater purposes of the car. Every single part of the car ‘gives itself up’ to the greater transcendent purpose.
As we raise our children, we are raising them to give them up to another, prepare them for the malevolent realities of our world, and equip them with problem solving capabilities to overcome the emergent in life.
We raise our children and we receive back in full. The function is well known: Raise your children right, they live a full and flourishing life, their gifts back to you will be well received and fully appreciated (e.g. grandchildren). We offer up our children to the great unknown for blessings unknown.
Many a great religious leader and religious texts convey this same idea: The ‘giving up’ to the greater transcendent good.
It seems the model is clear for the purposes of our hands and time…
When You Are Willing to Die to It…
My matrix likes to show me videos of building inspectors and their innumerable examples of terrible craftsmanship, and in many cases, deeply dangerous poor quality work. The equation is quite simple: Those that work only in self-interest will never fully encompass quality in their output. THEY DON’T HAVE A [WHY].
The best builders deeply understand their [why]. They deeply understand and take care to do quality work as the desire is for longevity, appreciation of the craft, and enjoyment of the product. They are giving themselves ‘up’ for something that will outlast them. And, if they’re great at relationships, their creations will bless them and multiply them.
I take deep pride in our investments and startups that we support. I give of my own life and time to really help them flourish the best I can.
I think this is why I feel so [full] in my life. I recognize the meta of my work as a VC (and a father), I am raising up others, giving my life essence and irredeemable-time to help them succeed, the larger and greater good is being achieved.
Life investing in life. Doing good work for the greater transcendent unknown.
I will never be able to ‘own’ anything I put my time into.
My desire is simply that (they) are multiplied.
All the best,
ps