The Real Test of Inner Peace? Spend Time With Your Parents

A personal reflection on how spending time with aging parents reveals where we truly stand on our spiritual journey—and why that honest confrontation is part of the path forward.

21-01-2026
The Real Test of Inner Peace? Spend Time With Your Parents
 
I once heard in Micheal Lai’s interview program: "If you want to test how far you've come on your inner journey, just spend a few moments with your parents. You'll quickly see where you really stand."
And honestly? It's true.

The Scene That Tested Me

Yesterday I went to my parents' place to borrow a quiet room to work. My dad wakes up late — usually not before 11am or even noon. And when he does get up, he just sits on the sofa, watching whatever's on TV.
These days, most TV programs are just reruns — old, boring stuff. But there he is, sprawled on the couch, staring at the screen.
And I feel this... frustration. This unexplainable irr itation.
Why not do something meaningful with all that time?
I couldn't help but compare him to Neale Donald Walsch — the author of Conversations with God — who's around the same age. Neale is still so full of energy, writing, speaking, contributing to the world. And my dad? He's just... there.

The Honest Admission

Here's what I have to admit: I thought I had already figured this out.
I thought I understood that everyone in this material world lives their own life. That no one is required to do anything — we only have things we choose to do. And honestly, we barely know what we ourselves are meant to do, let alone what others should be doing.
So why judge?
But when the scene played out right in front of me, the frustration still came. The quiet fire still burned.
I have to be honest with myself about that.

The Practice Continues

I don't fully understand why these feelings still arise. Maybe I'm not as far along as I thought. Maybe this is just part of the journey — noticing where I still get triggered, and gently working through it.
So I keep practicing. Practicing peace. Practicing letting things be. Practicing understanding the truth.
I believe I'll get there. 🌱

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A Small Thank You

One more thing: I'm deeply grateful for Neale Donald Walsch and his books. They've given me so much guidance on this path. I know which direction to walk.
And maybe that's the best.

Thanks for reading. If this resonated with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. We're all figuring this out together. 💛