My mom sent me an email last night, telling me to watch Oprah’s new series on OWN, where she spent an hour with Goldie Hawn.

I went online and found a wonderful short clip that I immediately wanted to share.

For 2 reasons.

First, because I love her description of how she answered her 4 year old daughter’s question about God…..in classic Goldie style.  One of the best descriptions I’ve ever heard of the concept of alignment/God/Oneness or whatever you choose to call that connection to a higher power.

Secondly, what I loved about this short clip is that it is a great example of one of the main philosophies of conscious parenting.  When she describes her “a-ha!” moment, she is demonstrating the idea that as parents, we are co-creating with our children on this journey in spiritual partnership.  As parents, we are not “above” the child….we are spiritually equal to our child.  (and in reality, the children are usually even more spiritually advanced than their parents,but that is another topic.)

Her awareness during that moment where she thought she was teaching her daughter, she was really teaching herself – is being a conscious parent.

In answering her daughter’s question, Goldie got an even greater gift…..a confirmation of her own belief, and a chance to realize she knew more than she thought.

As adults, we take certain things for granted.  Like everyone knows the basics about life.  We get comfortable with the fact that everyone around us has a baseline understanding of some fundamental concepts….like gravity, God, etc.  But children don’t.  In their asking, it forces us to think about our assumptions, and our understanding.

It reminds me of something I learned back in the day…..that the person learning the most in the classroom is the teacher.  It’s one thing to learn something, and it’s a whole other ball of wax to try to teach it.

Whether it’s a profound question like “what is God” or a simple “what does the word “obvious” mean?” a child’s inquisitiveness forces us to stop for a moment, get present, and be thoughtful.

I have always been a fan of Goldie Hawn, I just love her energy and the twinkle in her eye.  She’s someone I’d love to sit down and have a fireside chat with about parenting.  I’d be sure to bring my video camera…..I have a feeling she’d have lots to share.

Here is the clip from Oprah’s web site:

 

How Goldie Hawn Defines God

When Goldie Hawn’s daughter, Kate, was 4 years old, Goldie had to find a way to define God to her inquisitive child. According to Goldie, what is the best way to feel God? Find out now.

How have you talked with your children about God?  What ways have they asked, and how have you answered?