Someone is always watching
They sure do tell you many things before you have kids but one thing I can’t seem to remember hearing was that that somebody would ALWAYS be watching me from here on out. I’m sure it was told to me and I’m also sure I shrugged it all off just like most of the advice I was given. I was a lot younger then (2.5 years ago) so I’ll just blame it on being a misguided, too cool to listen to my elders, unwilling kid.
I have little eyes on me at all time. Seeing what I am eating, how I’m eating, what I’m looking at, what I’m working on, seeing me on my cell phone, and a heck of a lot more. My 2.5 year old daughter tries to dance like me, make the same noises like me, and even sing like me. She says the same things as I do. She makes the same faces I do. She even uses the same curse words.
She’s learned how to unwind
It’s a beautiful thing to watch her attempts at impersonating me but I can’t help but feel a little self conscious. Sure she may pick up my wonderful singing voice and knack for knowing my way around a dance floor, but is it possible to may latch on to some of my bad habits as well?
A big kick to the gut came after my wife and I were weighing ourselves one morning about a year ago. We each hopped on and off the scale to see where we were, then proceeded to walk out of the bathroom only to realize my little girl wasn’t following right behind like the shadow she was. I walked back into the bathroom to see her sitting on the scale looking down on the lit up numbers.
Now I understand she wasn’t truly weighing herself to see how much her last few bottles was impacting her mass, I get that. What I did realize was that she was going to do what mommy and daddy were doing. Monkey see, monkey do.
My daughter now “exercises” alongside my wife as she works out. My daughter squats, does band pulls, and more. Simply because she has watched her momma. It’s been incredible to see how much she impersonates us, not because we want her to, but because she sees us as larger than life.
As a father to a little girl and now a son, I want to make sure I conduct myself in a manner in which I promote health and strength, not weight and vanity. I want them to see their value as a person. I want them to not get caught up in the typical vanity that is presented to them on a daily basis. I want them to live a badass life. In order to give them a head start on that path, I need to look in the mirror.
I can’t help but to smile looking at this pic, thinking how invincible she feels!
I’ve decided that in order for her to live a badass life, I must live a badass life. I must take on challenges, overcome failure, grind every day, and stay true to my values no matter the situation. I also must embrace how to recovery, be vulnerable, empathetic and unapologetically authentic.
There will be the days that suck but knowing that there are eyes on me is motivation enough.
What about you though? You might not be a parent but I would imagine you still have someone looking up to you. Could be a niece or nephew, coworker or friend, relative or could be someone you just meet for a second. Odds are you are a role model in some fashion.
So live like you are one. Get out of your comfort zone. Lead, if only by example. Eyes are on you. Go be a badass and show others how to do the same. Just think what this world would be like if we all did that. Better yet, just think what this world would be like if even half of us did.
This world needs more people who wake up every day and lead others. Leadership is not for everyone. I doubt my own skills at times. However this world could also use more positive role models. Don’t just leave it up to the Charles Barkley’s of the world. You have the capacity to change a life simply by living yours.
So I wish you good luck. Hopefully you’ll do the same for me.
“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”
-James Baldwin
If you’d like to discover a way to improve your life and your ability to lead others such as your children, let us know! We’d love to be a part of that change!!
Just go to the home for the 30 Day Reclaim for more information!!
