I had just woken up. I am trying to find the necessary supplies for my morning yerba mate and to get some pancakes ready for our tribe. I have been working late on a few projects, so I am a bit groggy to say the least.
I am not in the zone just yet and I am nowhere near the FLOW state of mind. But whether I was ready or not some one was watching me.
Daddy seriously. Put down your collar and make me some pancakes.
My wife showed me this picture later in the afternoon. I had no idea that these two wonderful eyes were gazing upon me. There is not a man on the planet who doesn’t dream of his little girl looking at him like that.
Now if I had only known. Only if I was prepared. Only if I was ready to be seen. Some one please cue the violins.
It did get me to thinking about how often this happens. How frequently do you make an impression on people without even knowing it? How often does some one see or hear something you did not intend to be heard by anyone?
I don’t think this means that you should live like you are always putting on a show. And I certainly don’t think this means that you need to be perfect all of the time.
I do think it means you should be real sure that every action and every thought communicates your true character.
Because whether you like it or not, it does.
This concept has gone from being a total drag, (lots of pressure to not pick my nose or yell at some moron who is texting and driving) to feeling quite empowering. I started to think of every thought and action like building blocks. The thoughts and actions that are indicative of the kind of person you really are, go in one pile. The thoughts and actions that happen when you are not at your finest go into another. Being mindful that neither pile will ever go away, which pile is getting bigger?
As I pondered this really far-reaching example, I think I may have created one pile unintentionally. And to be honest it may be bigger than I had thought it was. However there is a pretty simple solution. Do, say and think more things that communicate the kind of person I am and the kind of man I am trying to become. That is pretty basic, but simple solutions always seem to be the best ones. Damn simplicity. (Rats. Another block in the pile for cursing! And another one for using “rats” in such a stupid way.)
There will be slip ups….Oh lord, yes there will (can I get an amen). But I don’t mind a pile of reminders, if I am working on a mountain of character.
P
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thank you for sharing such a beautiful moment and genuine thoughts on character. it was nice to read this first thing as a way to start the day.
good ole’ Abe Lincoln has a quote I like; “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”
I like to use trees as a metaphor for people —always growing, changing and evolving, and absorbing what is around us as a means of nourishment. The seed planted is not always a measure of the greatness to come. The most important is the foundation-roots. They will be a reflection of our truest selves and will determine our ability to participate in this life to its fullest. Those around us help us become our fullest selves, but can also hinder us. Regardless we all share in the process and must do our best to spread strong roots and sturdy foundations for others to have the same.
Cheers my friend and again thank you for sharing.
Holy Crap. Who is the one that should have a blog. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. Seriously one of the coolest things I have read in a really long time. Thanks for your thoughtful feeback.
First response is….AWWW:-) How Precious!! Love your story! Second thing that comes to mind is a verse about character since you brought that word up. Where is the verse found? *Flips through bible* Oh, I’ll just google! Ah-ha! Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
I love flap jacks too!!
Patton – Dude, that collar is so FLOW!
Thanks for sharing this life moment. After reading this I was brought back to a quote by Aristotle that I had read during breakfast (the same day or day before)…
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Happy building my friend.