St Mary's Prays
Detachment means having the ability to maintain an objective perspective, without the benefit of time or hindsight. It can have negative connotations, but a healthy detachment means that your emotions are not suppressed by people and events around you. Being able to remove ourselves emotionally in order to logically solve a problem helps us think clearly and fulfill
our duty to others.
Detachment means that we can step back from a situation and see it for what it really is, without being clouded by our emotions – either positively or negatively. It also means developing a healthy independence that allows us to think critically and help others.
Detachment is a central theme in Christianity right from the start whereby Jesus states in Mattew 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Our faith teaches us that we should seek out opportunities to make sacrifices enabling us to learn and grow spiritually. Essentially detaching from what doesn't nourish us.
When bad things happen, our job is not to help children avoid difficulty, but to be able to handle it well. Detachment keeps us out of trouble by helping us avoid an impulsive reaction. With detachment, we are free to do only what we choose to do. It is using our best thinking and it allows us to be our best selves.
A great guide in helping children practice the virtue of detaching is to have them:
- Take time out before doing something you would be sorry for
- Look at your feelings before deciding how to act
- Use thinking and feeling together
- Act instead of reacting
- Reflect before taking action
- Choose to do what is right