In an Infants Eyes

“Every baby born into the world is a finer one than the last one”. Charles Dickens

I have had an eye opening experience this holiday season. I’ve been blessed to have my daughter and our first grandchild spend time with us. The other day my wife was quizzing me and she asked me if I wanted to have another child of my own, to which I emphatically replied, No! I just wanted to enjoy my grandson for the holidays.
Which brings me to the point of why I wanted to write this article. Bryce is the king of the castle this weekend. His every beck and call is answered from not only my family, but anyone who can hear his cry or whimper. At this time in his life he has not formed any opinions good or bad, habits are just based on his needs to be dried when he is wet, fed when he is hungry, or to sleep when he is tired. He is an open slate that will be molded good or bad over time. Whatever we want him to be, we will steer him in that direction. That made me think real hard about my life and the life of the people around me. What directions or plans did there parents make? I’m sure in most cases the primary goal of most parents in the beginning is for health and well being. Anything beyond that I’m sure the process is like night and day from one household to the next. Which makes me wonder, what are we instilling in our kids, what examples are we setting from day to day?
A great man once said, “you cannot be what you cannot see.” With that in mind, my goal from this point forward is to be the person that I want my grandchild to become. The time for telling children those tired old words of “go to school, get good grades” and live life happily ever after has come and gone. For every A student in America there are 10 in other countries that are just as competent and prepared for the same job. Thomas Freidman was right when he said that the world is flat and the playing field is becoming more even everyday. I want to be the one that blazes a trail for my grandson to follow, to build a business that can stand the test of time.
Now I realize that this may not hit home for everyone, but for those of you who have it in them to blaze a trail, make a change now. With the new year quickly approaching include this goal to your agenda for 2010. If not for you, for your family. Contrary to that old saying, old dogs can learn new tricks! Barack said it best, you are who you have been waiting for, so go out and set the pace for your family. We are the examples that our children and grandchildren see on a daily basis. We need to lead, set the path, and trail blaze it every day. My goal is to ask a simple question of myself, if Bryce is watching and listening to me, what can he learn from my actions? Like it or not he will be watching someone.
“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” - Harry S. Truman