This is a reply to Rebecca's blog.
Well Rebecca it is interesting that you should mention Buddhism. The Buddha left his wealthy, powerful family behind in order to reflect on the suffering he saw in the world and how to overcome it. Not many people walk away from wealth do they? Think of beautiful fountains, dancing girls, luscious fruits, servants, great music. Goodbye to all that. I can imagine his dad, the Raja, was not too happy as he waved good bye to his son and heir.
The American president Barack Obama modelled himself as a boy on how he thought his father would want him to be. Later on he learned new things about his 'Old Man' (his words) that made him change his attitudes.
We can't choose where we are born, nor our parents, nor whether they will stick around for us. But perhaps these examples show that people make their own lives. As you say, we are all individuals and unique, with our own ways of doing things. Relationships with parents are never simple are they?
Information about Barack Obama is from his book, 'Dreams from my Father,' currently a bestseller.
