Since time immemorial, there have been things for which there is no room for restraint, especially when we approach the finesse and dexterity with which they are made. Astonishment, wonder, delight and what have you... are the means given to Man to express his approval or aversion to the things that surround him. Look at the vast ocean, the majesty of the sharks, the fearless flight of the eagle and the tact with which the lion captures its prey. So many beautiful things that show that our universe is so rich and so generous. Look at Man, an unprecedented marvel, a mosaic made up of a perfect blend of all possible natures. He is a magnificent compilation of all personality traits, creating both admiration and controversy.
Why is it that, despite our innate potential, flawless abilities and eloquent skills, it is still difficult for some people to experience freedom and fulfilment? Is Man not a being of freedom? It's true, the human spirit is like a parachute, it only works when it's open.But is it a lack of open-mindedness that holds us back from fulfilling our deepest desires? This phrase resonated like a strange echo from the mouth of Dr Raoul Ruben, who put it in these terms: ‘WHY CAN'T I GET WHAT I WANT? He was speaking at the A21 ORIENTATION event held in Cotonou on 23 November. With this question he evoked a profound reality that prevents many people from achieving their life goals and above all from being fulfilled. This obstacle is ignorance of the parental blessing. There's no doubt that the family is the first link in the social chain for every individual, so it's only right that the parental blessing should have a considerable influence on all aspects of our lives. After all, a person's success and fulfilment can be seen in the material, family, professional, social, financial and spiritual dimensions. How does the parental blessing influence each of these dimensions? Dr Raoul Ruben's talk laid the foundations of this high-impact principle with immediate results.
The Material Dimension: A Foundation for Success.
The material dimension of personal success refers to the acquisition of goods and resources that facilitate well-being and quality of life. In today's society, this dimension is often perceived as a key indicator of success. It includes things like owning a house, a car and other material possessions that demonstrate a certain stability. However, it is essential to understand that material success is not just about accumulating wealth. It also involves the ability to manage these resources wisely to create an environment conducive to personal and family fulfilment. A person who is successful in material terms is generally able to provide for himself and those around him, offering security and comfort that encourage the development of other dimensions of life. Parental blessing plays a fundamental role here. Through their emotional and material support, parents can considerably influence the way in which an individual perceives and achieves material success. A stable and loving family environment enables children to acquire values such as perseverance, hard work and financial responsibility. For example, a child raised in a home where money is managed responsibly is more likely to develop solid financial skills as an adult.
On the other hand, a child who grows up in a climate of economic uncertainty or financial conflict may internalise limiting beliefs about money, making it more difficult to achieve material success. In this way, parental blessing becomes a powerful lever that can determine an individual's ability to achieve material stability. The material dimension is often interconnected with other aspects of life. Financial security can provide access to opportunities such as education, health and even leisure that enrich the life experience. So when parents offer solid material and emotional support, they create the conditions necessary for their children to succeed not only in material terms, but also in the other dimensions of their lives. In short, material success is a crucial element of overall personal success, and parental blessing is a fundamental pillar of this, providing the foundations on which other successes are built.
The Social Dimension: Forging Links for Balanced Success.
The social dimension of personal success refers to our ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with others. This dimension is crucial because social interactions enrich our lives, provide support and help us develop essential interpersonal skills. A strong social network can provide professional opportunities, emotional support during difficult times, and a sense of belonging that contributes to our overall well-being. Socially successful people tend to be happier and more resilient because they can rely on others to help them overcome life's challenges. Parental blessing plays a fundamental role in the development of this social dimension. Parents who teach their children the importance of empathy, communication and respect for others provide them with valuable tools for forging lasting relationships.
By creating a family environment where cooperation and mutual support are valued, parents help their children to develop social skills from an early age. For example, children who attend family and community activities learn to interact with people from different backgrounds, which enriches their social outlook and their ability to form genuine bonds. What's more, a solid social foundation also fosters success in other areas of life, including work. Social networks can open doors to employment opportunities and fruitful collaborations. The essential thing to understand is that the social dimension is essential to balanced success, and parental blessing, by fostering relational skills from childhood, is a crucial lever in enabling each individual to navigate successfully through social interactions throughout life.
The Spiritual Dimension: A Quest for Meaning and Balance.
The spiritual dimension of personal success concerns the quest for meaning, values and balance in life. This dimension is not necessarily linked to religion, but rather to an understanding of ourselves, the world around us, and our place in it. A spiritually fulfilling life enables individuals to connect with something greater than themselves, whether through meditation, contemplation of nature, or involvement in causes close to their hearts. The search for inner balance and spiritual peace contributes to emotional resilience, enabling them to overcome life's challenges with serenity and wisdom. People who integrate this dimension into their lives tend to have a more holistic and satisfying vision of success. Parental blessing plays a crucial role in the development of this spiritual dimension. Parents who encourage their children to explore their values, ask questions about the meaning of life and develop self-awareness help to nurture their spirituality. For example, a parent who shares reflections on gratitude, compassion and altruism creates an environment conducive to spiritual growth.
Children learn to value practices that nurture their inner well-being, such as meditation or volunteering, which can enrich their life experience and strengthen their sense of connection with others.What's more, the spiritual dimension is often interconnected with the other dimensions of success. People who find meaning in their lives are better equipped to deal with stress and setbacks, enabling them to flourish in their material, family, social and professional lives too. For example, spiritual resilience can help a person bounce back from a financial setback by enabling them to see the situation in a different light, and by nurturing a sense of hope and determination. In this way, parental blessing, by encouraging spiritual exploration from an early age, becomes a powerful lever for overall personal success. By cultivating this dimension, parents enable their children to develop a rich and meaningful life, in which each dimension of success intertwines harmoniously.
Without detracting from the other dimensions of success, which you can find at www.raoulrubennjionou.com, Dr Raoul Ruben concluded with a magical exercise in which all the participants contacted their sire or dam and told them how much they loved them, or sent them a message or, at best, transferred money for their needs. It was a unique experience, given the testimonies that were given immediately afterwards. Some said that the parents were very excited by their children's message or gesture, and that words of blessing followed. This gesture might seem insignificant, but it is precisely this kind of word that constitutes the parental blessing; a state of benevolence on the part of the parents towards the children and vice versa. When we live in such a climate, everything we undertake succeeds because our parents' energy accompanies us along the way. And whatever the challenges, we're able to hold on until our dream comes true. It was a unique conference and full of euphoria. But that euphoria won't last long, because even the most beautiful things have to come to an end, but it was an end in a unique and satisfying atmosphere.
