A few days ago, a wise friend told me a Bedouin proverb about kids and uncles. Something like "the boy grows on uncle's lap."
Obviously, I can't remember the words, and I can't find them online. Sure, I can ask my friend, but I have only fifteen minutes to write this apple. I can also write about something else, but this is what came out in my meditation, and I like to go with what emerges.
So, my memory could be totally off on this. Being an uncle, I may have selectively chosen what I wanted to hear. However, I feel the idea is that uncles and aunties are in a unique position regarding their nieces and nephews upbringing. We live on the edge of the family. At the same time, we are part of it and outside of it.
We move in the space in-between the family and the rest of the world, right there at the boundaries. And because change and growth happen at the edges of things, we can offer an invaluable perspective.
I believe that every social entity - family, team, company, community - should have some uncles and aunties. They may take different names like coaches, mentors or advisors—people who care about the group as much as the people who are part of it. But at the same time, they are not part of it so that they can keep a sort of detachment.
These people can provide a unique and precious perspective that can help the whole group change and grow.
In your group, do you have uncles or unties?
P.S. if you can help me find the exact proverb, I'll be very grateful.