Nature or Nurture?

Walk Tall by Val Doonican

“Walk Tall walk straight and look the world right in the eye 

That’s what my mama told me

When I was about knee high

She said ‘Son be a proud man and hold your head up high”

Walk Tall walk straight and look the world right in the eye “

Excellent advice from a Mother to her son but how much can parents influence their children?

Many have commented on my “ positive” attitude since they learnt that I had been diagnosed with cancer.  Some think it’s in my genes. Hmmm, well Dad wasn’t (ostensibly anyway) a worrier. If he did have concerns he kept them to himself. He was generally calm and we seldom saw him angry. “Extremely annoyed” was probably the extent of any ill-temper he might have felt. A frown and pursed lips for a moment and then the calm returned.

 His elder sister, my Aunty Carmen, had a very positive attitude to life and I learnt a lot from her even though we lived in different countries. I asked her once how she kept on an even keel, never appearing to lose her equanimity. She said, “If I can’t do anything about it, I just don’t let it bother me, see?”. Like Dad, she might have frowned for a moment and perhaps given a shake of the head and that was it.

My mum taught me to be stoic. Even as a child, I remember that when I encountered pain she’d say quietly “ say to Jesus ‘ all for Thee, O my Lord, O my Jesus, all for Thee’. He take your pain.” Well I’ve prayed that prayer every time I felt or even anticipated feeling pain. Mum was right😃God does take away the pain. 

My husband says I have a high pain threshold. I’ve written in earlier posts that I felt no pain at all through and after surgery and through chemotherapy  and radiation. I think God has given me the gift of joy that is my strength. My genes play a part but Mum’s advice to her little girl still works as my Healer hears and answers prayers

So, nature or nurture? What do you think?

Walk Tall by Val Doonican (1964)

https://youtu.be/2_t-GC3HJSA