When children experience mistreatment or neglect, it can change their DNA. It can change who they are. It can change what they expect from others, and from the world in general.

I’ve been thinking about imprinting. I've been thinking about how our experiences often become our norm. Even when those experiences are disappointing or painful, their familiarity can somehow oddly feel comfortable. We have dealt with this before, and we can do it again (the devil we know). For example, we might look for partners with whom we will repeat the same familiar feelings. We all might copy hurtful words and behaviours, even though we have found them unfulfilling and unproductive.

Regardless of our past, let’s find the happiest, warmest, most loving, most understanding and accepting people. Let's hang around them and soak up their loving words and actions, even if this feels awkward or unnatural to us.

Let’s get used to it.

Let us emulate them and create a new way.

Let us be the ancestors who infuse the DNA of future generations with healing and enriching love.