“Share everything.  Play fair.  Don’t hit.  Put things back.  Clean up your own mess.  Don’t take what isn’t yours.  Say you’re sorry when you hurt someone…Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.” – Robert Fulghum

 I have always found it odd that we tell our children that they can grow up to be anything they want.  They can be doctors, lawyers or candlestick makers.  There is no limit on what they can achieve.  Then when they are in their teen and come to us with a desire to become something great and challenging we say, “Are you out of your mind?  You can do that.  Be practical.”

 OUR BEHAVIOR

The same is true for behavior.  We teach them to be honest, not to hurt others, play fair, tell the truth and respect others.  Then through our own actions we show them “as adults” it is sometimes okay to lie, you can take things from work that are not yours because you “earned it”.  We show then it is okay to win at any cost, look out for yourself and that you are better than some people.  It does not make sense.  C.S. Lewis said “We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise.  We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”

 BEING A CHILD

Some may defend this behavior with the excuse that children need to be protected but as they grow they have to face the reality of life.  Success-Minded People know that is all bunk.  The answer here is simple and obvious; we – the adults – need to start believing our own teachings.  We must go back and embrace the simple truths we tell our children.  It is like Jesus said, we must be like children.  Children have no trouble believing and embracing the truth.

 SIMPLE TRUTH

We adults love to complicate things.  Sometimes we do it to give us a way to compromise what is the right thing to do.  Sometimes we do it because it makes us feel important and knowledgeable.  Whatever the reason it is both unnecessary and wrong.  Winston Churchill was correct when he stated: “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a simple word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”  Success-Minded People know that it is always better to do what is right and speak the truth.  Character is the simplest way but not the simplest thing.  Character takes courage.

 LIVING IT

We need to show our children that it is good to be honest, honorable and kind.  We must show them that a person can achieve their dreams no matter how impossible they may seem.  Words are cheap and easy to get out of.  Actions are what they look at anyway.  It is how YOU live not how you tell them to live that count.  Booker T. Washington said “There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life.”

                 Do not live a life of confusion and fear because you have compromised your values.  Be bold and stand for what is right, pursue you dreams and be the example the world needs.  If you can’t make it on your own, find a child to show you the way.

 © 2011 John Patrick Hickey