Right now, someone is rearing a future leader. Nelson Mandela’s mother and father- did they know they were influencing greatness that would change the World? Or John F. Kennedy’s parents? Were they actively shaping him toward a path of intelligent service? I’ve raised three children and had the privilege and great pleasure of influencing three step children and now five grandchildren. Early on- in my 20’s -, somewhere in my vast reading as a ‘stay at home’ mother of three, I ran across a concept that impacted the lives of my children. It is the concept of ‘touching the palette’. Just as an artist has a palette of paints to create from, parents can provide an environment rich in texture and color that will stimulate children to find their destiny calling.

We all have things that taste good to us and others that we aren’t drawn to or even are repulsed by. Each child is a unique individual with bio-individuality and a personality, natural talents and giftings that will best express the irreplaceable aspects of that particular human being/child. This also is the “palette”; the taste-buds that determine the bent of a life, that I’m referring to.  But as a young mother, how would I have known what my children would become and what their destiny would be? How would I set up the scenarios for them to discover their passion and their gift to the World?

So the concept of ‘touching the palette’ encompassed liberating a World of potentials upon the landscape of childhood in the safety, supervision and security of the home by setting up vignettes in the environment came into my experience and into the lives of my children. There was a corner for musical instruments of every possible type, timeless music playing and a library of great musicians’ biographies. There was an art corner tucked away where messes can be tolerated and works in progress can develop over time and the artist’s lives to draw inspiration from. There was a well-stocked library – audio and books. Perhaps we’d raise a writer or a chef…there was a kitchen with child-sized measuring cups, whimsical spoons and colorful aprons. Outside, there was a virtual petting zoo of farm animals and the chance to develop animal husbandry; perhaps a veterinarian or a nurse would emerge from the care of others. There was a garden with little hoes and shovels and a hand seeded carrot pulled from the earth at age 2…  Inside hamsters, something called Duproses that my enterprising daughter ended up selling offspring to pet stores at a great profit, disgusting rats that I consented to crawl on me for the sake of being a good fearless mother in the presence of a developing child… dog and cats and fish… You see where I’m going with this. We step outside of our own preconceived desires and visions for our children to provide an entire palette of things for children to choose from hoping that something will spark our children’s interest and allow it to grow into the passionate fire that fuels their adult life. Variety is really and truly the spice of life.

The day I saw my two small sons literally 40’ up a fir tree  pounding nails for a tree fort, I tried – and succeeded – in ignoring my urge to call them down of out of my own fear of them falling. Today they are successful custom-home builders with their own company and finish carpenters. The vignette that was provided was never intended to allow them to climb so high, but then we cannot censor our children’s dreams and aspirations. They may be higher than our own for them. Each of my children is a responsible, productive citizen and each is on a path of service to mankind in their own way. The grace of God combined with some good palette touching? Thankfully the parents of Ghandi and J.F.K. understood this. They gave free reign for the development of greatness and provided a multitude of arenas to discover the special gift that each possesses for the benefit of mankind. I can’t think of any other way they discovered they were destined to rule but in the nurture and protective encouragement of the home.

Right now, someone is rearing the future President of NHF. Because I was very late coming to join the Health Freedom Movement- in my early 50’s, I queried parents what it would take to develop the activist spirit in a child purposefully. Evidently I hit upon a loaded word “activist” unwittingly. What does that word mean- apart from our associations with it?  What does Wikipedia have to say about it?

“Activism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Activism consists of intentional efforts to promote, impede or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing businesses, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, and hunger strikes.

Activists can function in roles as public officials, as in judicial activism. Arthur Schlesinger Jr. introduced the term “judicial activism” in a January 1947 Fortune magazine article titled “The Supreme Court: 1947.”[1]

Some activists try to persuade people to change their behavior directly, rather than to persuade governments to change laws. The cooperative movement seeks to build new institutions which conform to cooperative principles, and generally does not lobby or protest politically.

There is also a distinction to be made between Activists and Activism, as a huge amount of activism is carried out by people who would not label themselves as activists. It is crucial to recognize this, otherwise you fail to recognize the amount of activism being carried out and risk marginalizing this type of social change as a specific form of activism i.e. as carried out by the activist. For example environmental activists’ that align themselves with Earth First, or Road Protestors would commonly be labeled activists, whereas a local community fighting to stop their park or green being sold off, or built on would not be classed as activists, yet they are still effectively carrying out very similar actions. In short Activism is not always carried out by Activists.[2]”

I like the first sentence. We can attach all kinds of things to being an activist, but as a brand-spanking new activist I find myself compelled to share my knowledge because I HAVE TO- I CAN’T NOT… and so far, it is a complete gift to others. I can’t tell you how many intelligent professionals had no idea about NHF or Codex. They all thank me for taking time to share and to fight on their behalf by my association with NHF.

You may know my trigger was President Scott Tip’s excellent article on ‘Codex Avoids Implosion by Five Votes” in the Summer 2011/Volume 29/No.2 issue of Health Freedom News, the National Health Federation’s fine publication. If sharing the Ractopamine story awakens others to the need to create change, then an activist I am. From that leaping off point, I wondered, “If I were a young mother again today, how would I touch the palette of my children- the children possibly intended to be drawn into activism?”

Mothers came forward on the National Health Federation’s Face Book page to offer very valuable advice. One of the mothers finds herself with a potential leader in her and her husband’s care. She tells the story of Caleb and I see how he is in a home that will allow his talents, gifts and skills to fully develop under careful ‘palette touching’.

In her words, “Caleb is the math brain who loves a good book or three a day… He likes his vitamins and takes them easily.  He wants me to talk to his class about the NHF and Codex and give all the students membership brochures for their parents.  Caleb told me he is wants to become a Scientist and share all his work with the NHF which he is going to join as soon as he’s old enough.  He’s all fired up already and wanting to share everything he can to get more members!  Maybe he should start an NHF pony league in school!”

She continues, “It really blew me away the way Caleb got so interested so fast.  Finding a way to get the information in their hands is key (to touching the palette). Caleb found out about health freedom by hearing me talk about different articles and issues. Before I knew it, he was reading over my shoulder and asking questions.” I asked Caleb if he would share with us his budding ‘activist’ experience. He doesn’t know it by that  word. He is just being himself…a curious young man and realizing his palette is completely engaged with health, health freedom and he wants to share his passion!

“When my mom found out about the NHF,  I heard her talking about it to everyone we know.  If you don’t know, NHF stands for National Health Federation.  Mom says it’s a health freedom organization.  The more she told people about the NHF the more I listened to some important stuff that is happening, not only here but all over the  world.

For instance Ractopamine.  Did you know that people want to feed it to pigs to change the pig’s natural body?  That stuff makes the pigs bloat which means swell.  Mom says studies show that it stays in the animals and the meat we eat!  There are so many important things going on that people need to know about that I asked my mom to come to my school and give everyone information about the NHF and health freedom.  The freedom to eat things that won’t eventually harm our bodies.  I’m still growing and my mom wants me to eat foods that are safe.

The National Health Federation is an organization that helps moms find the best food for their kids.  They do a lot of other good stuff too.”

Well said, Caleb! May you one day lead us all toward greater health freedom…

Another parent contributes, “It is up to the parents to teach a child about taking medications and about health.” This is where the concept of ‘touching the palette’ is born- in the cradle of good parental care and that includes an excellent parental example. I know that my children “caught” more than they were “taught”. We are the books they read, without knowledge of reading skills.

Sometimes we have to wonder who is leading whom in example. “Caleb will be 13 this year.  He helps me distribute magazines and brochures at the pier. He’s always been a health nut as soon as he could read the expiration dates on food items. There is a healthy eating education part of health class at school. He was educating me way before I knew anything about Codex. There is an obesity problem in the U.S. and healthy eating is already being taught in classes all over the states. His teacher is thrilled with the work he is doing and he’s earning extra credit on his blog in Health Science”. In this case, it is ‘iron sharpening iron’ as these parents are committed to the cause of health freedom and their son is clearly mirroring their passion with an equal fervor of his own. Will he be the next President of NHF to protect our health freedoms by speaking Codex? Someone, somewhere is that child…What kind of mirror are we providing?

So what emerged from these casual conversations on National Health Federation’s Face Book page? Activism is a matter of individual gifting. Some are selecting a very young age, a path of service. They are fortunate if they are in a family that can provide an atmosphere to further the ‘touching of the palette’ but deep down, we know that they will achieve their destiny regardless. We must respect the individuality of each child and not push our will. We must be true to our own path and let them find theirs.

Were I a parent again today, I would broach discussion at the dinner table about World events that will impact them. I would encourage my children to see their body as a sacred trust, indeed ‘a temple’ that no one has the right to pollute with GMO foods, vet steroids (Ractopamine), fluoride and on and on. I would encourage them to find their own Voice- even at a very young age. What self-esteem that builds!

One last story…I had a young guest of 7 years last summer. He had some behavioral and attention issues that prompted him being put on a sugar-free diet and I was advised to cook to this diet prior to his coming. It was really how we already manage the kitchen here in a low glycemic fashion, being Nutritional Therapists. The change in him, according to the parents, was remarkable after adopting this healthy diet.

As I cooked breakfast for this family, this brave child let me know in no uncertain terms, “If there is sugar in anything that you cooked, I will not eat it.”  This impressed me beyond belief! I had a little 7 year old having the courage and fortitude to stand firm to his beliefs in the face of an adult!

 

 

Thankfully, we use honey, maple syrup and xylitol but the point was well made. I have never had a 7 year old dictate to me what came out of the kitchen much less an adult and I thought, “May more 7 years olds stand up and dictate to the school cafeteria what they will and will not put into their precious little developing bodies and mind – bodies and minds that will develop to lead us into the future.” It is possible to be an activist without having any knowledge whatsoever of the word. This child simply IS. It moved me in a way I will never forget. This child has a future….and we will reap the benefits of his courage and commitment

Children are our teachers. They will lead us one day. How can we touch their palette to discover their unique and treasured gifts to the World? As always, your comments are welcome on the blog and we want to hear what you are doing to promote awareness and a sense of responsibility to fellow man and to the World in your lives and around your dinner table with your own children. We are all in this fight for health freedom together. There are many more experienced among our ranks. We would love to hear from you to encourage us all in our efforts to allow free expression among the children who are gravitating toward this path of service who are in our field of influence and care.