Mental Health

Let Love Lead

Delaney Ruston, MD
Lisa Tabb smiling to camera (Screenagers Producer)
Lisa Tabb
November 2, 2020
man with mask on

The human condition is one in which some degree of pain, suffering, and loss are inevitable. What has helped me with this fact is anchoring onto a mantra that popped into my mind some years ago, which is "let love lead." I work to focus on the love that exists all around me, so I don’t overly focus on the pain and suffering. Also, when I am at a crossroads in my life, from little to large, I tune into how I can best "let love lead" — which decision is most in line with adding more love to my life, to the lives of others, and this world?

The love we adults have for our kids, as parents, as teachers, as counselors, as coaches, as grandparents, as librarians, as health providers, and the list goes on and on gives me hope every day.

And something else that gives me immense hope is humans’ ability to change things to make them better. Seeing how many young people are doing that right now to increase the number of people participating in voting is one example. That is happening in my home.

Two years ago, when my son entered college, he immediately sought out opportunities to increase votership on his campus. I continue to be in awe of how hard he has worked the past two years doing that. Meanwhile, my daughter has been working with an organization that is trying to get people out and voting for positive change across the country.

I want to add one note, I just read the above to my kids to see if they were okay with me writing about them (I always run things by them). They said yes, and then they both said that I needed to remind people to ensure breaks off screens to be able to unhook from the onslaught of intense media and news. Tessa added that it is helpful to turn off notifications. Chase added that we all have to remember and be prepared for the fact that it could take longer to call election results in many races.

Ultimately, we ended our conversation by saying how essential it is to create times to focus on ways to fill up on love. Now, the two of them have left me here on the computer as they head out to take a walk together.

Let me finish by saying to all of you, my fellow changemakers, that it is so wonderful to know you are out there and that together we will continue to work to bring growth experiences and loving connections to our children and to all children. I feel so blessed to be on this journey with all of you.

Questions to spark discussion

  1. Ask your kids what age they think they should be allowed to vote? And why?
  2. Discuss what if any personal mottos/mantras each of you has about different areas of life (like “let love lead”). Can you come up with any right now as a family?
  3. What are ways you are balancing media and new intake with self-care?

Click here if you are interested in hosting an ONLINE screening for your community.

Click here if you want to attend an ONLINE screening.

Click here for information about Dr. Ruston’s new  book, Parenting in the Screen Age

Subscribe to Dr. Ruston’s Screenagers Podcast.

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

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Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

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Screenagers Podcast - Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for the latest Podcast

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Learn More
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Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
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Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More

Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

Learn More
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Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

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Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Learn More
Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
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Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More

Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

Learn More
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Our New Movie - Learn more about the latest movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

Learn More

Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition - Learn more about our latest movie.

Learn More
Mental Health

Let Love Lead

Delaney Ruston, MD
November 2, 2020
man with mask on

The human condition is one in which some degree of pain, suffering, and loss are inevitable. What has helped me with this fact is anchoring onto a mantra that popped into my mind some years ago, which is "let love lead." I work to focus on the love that exists all around me, so I don’t overly focus on the pain and suffering. Also, when I am at a crossroads in my life, from little to large, I tune into how I can best "let love lead" — which decision is most in line with adding more love to my life, to the lives of others, and this world?

The love we adults have for our kids, as parents, as teachers, as counselors, as coaches, as grandparents, as librarians, as health providers, and the list goes on and on gives me hope every day.

And something else that gives me immense hope is humans’ ability to change things to make them better. Seeing how many young people are doing that right now to increase the number of people participating in voting is one example. That is happening in my home.

Two years ago, when my son entered college, he immediately sought out opportunities to increase votership on his campus. I continue to be in awe of how hard he has worked the past two years doing that. Meanwhile, my daughter has been working with an organization that is trying to get people out and voting for positive change across the country.

I want to add one note, I just read the above to my kids to see if they were okay with me writing about them (I always run things by them). They said yes, and then they both said that I needed to remind people to ensure breaks off screens to be able to unhook from the onslaught of intense media and news. Tessa added that it is helpful to turn off notifications. Chase added that we all have to remember and be prepared for the fact that it could take longer to call election results in many races.

Ultimately, we ended our conversation by saying how essential it is to create times to focus on ways to fill up on love. Now, the two of them have left me here on the computer as they head out to take a walk together.

Let me finish by saying to all of you, my fellow changemakers, that it is so wonderful to know you are out there and that together we will continue to work to bring growth experiences and loving connections to our children and to all children. I feel so blessed to be on this journey with all of you.

Questions to spark discussion

  1. Ask your kids what age they think they should be allowed to vote? And why?
  2. Discuss what if any personal mottos/mantras each of you has about different areas of life (like “let love lead”). Can you come up with any right now as a family?
  3. What are ways you are balancing media and new intake with self-care?

Click here if you are interested in hosting an ONLINE screening for your community.

Click here if you want to attend an ONLINE screening.

Click here for information about Dr. Ruston’s new  book, Parenting in the Screen Age

Subscribe to Dr. Ruston’s Screenagers Podcast.

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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