We all fall victim to projecting our ways of living well on others when the truth is that we all follow a unique paths of good living--unique calls about who we are and how we should live.
I reckoned with this fact recently as I watched loved ones embark on their own paths in life--paths different than what I have chosen, but paths true to who they are and paths filled with promise and potential. I realized that while these loved ones were young, I had a lot of influence over their decisions, but now as adults, it is their time to chart their own paths in life. This changes my role, and has made me think of my own road in life more.
We do wrong when we try to project our needs, wants, and desires on someone else--we do write when we meet people's directions with curiosity, interest, and openness instead. Questions are far greater than orders or suggestions. Observation is better than direction. It is good to be the companion who is ready to lend support if needed, but in the meantime that friend who is living his or her own life, following their dreams, and doing what they can to live a good life for themself and others. Onward.