Showing The Way

"Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate."

- Unknown

We all desire to be a good example for the children in our lives.  They can be our children, or those in our family, or even those who we come in contact with daily.  Success-minded people know that we must show our children how to be people of character and integrity.  We understand that they learn how to treat people by how we treat people.  We are all role models and that is a big responsibility that we take seriously.

                But there is more to being an example that just how to behave.  We need to show our children how to dream, achieve and succeed.  It is a funny thing that we tell children that they can be anything they wish to be and accomplish and dream and yet we live lives of lack and the mediocre.

                The best way to really influence your world is to touch the lives of the children in your world.  Soon they will be the ones in charge of things and how can we expect them to do better than us if we do not do better ourselves?  Let's try to apply what we know.

Teach Them To Dream

                At one time, we do it so little now, we drilled it into children that could be anything from President to Doctor, they wanted to be.  Their play time was filled with acting out the roles they would play in life.  Nothing was beyond their reach.  Then, as they grew, we change from "you can be anything" to "be practical and real".  Why did we do this?  Because we lost our ability to dream.

                Recapture your dreams and begin once again to see the far away land filled with excitement and adventure.  C.S. Lewis said, "You are never too old to dream a new dream or set a new goal."  That is so true.  As you once again start to dream, you show the children in your life that dreams are forever.  They begin to once more believe that they can be anything they wish to be.

Teach Them To Achieve

                Once you have started to dream, you now have to put it into action.  Nothing is ever achieved without action.  It will be your ability to set a plan and take active steps toward that dream that will show children how they too need to plan and act.  Help them to understand that nothing comes from doing nothing.  To achieve a dream takes commitment and hard work, but it is worth it in the end. 

               

                One of the greatest lessons we can teach our children is to work and work hard.  Work gives them a sense of purpose and brings meaning to the achievement of a goal.  No one should teach their children to take without giving.  The entitlement mentality is the most abusive thing we have done to our children in this country.  Achievement is work.  You cannot be the example you need to be if you do not work for your goals in life.

Teach Them To Succeed

                The examples you set by dreaming and working toward that dream will be the example that shows children that success is possible.  Success is the fulfillment of a worthwhile dream or goal.  It is the accomplishment of the passion you have in life.  Your success shows others that it is possible and that they stand without excuse if they fail to follow through.

                When we set the examples of successful living for the children in our lives we not only make their life better but we truly make the whole world better.  We can see all the negative examples of how lives have affected the children of our world, so too can we set a new and better example.  You have great power in and with your life.  Use it wisely.

To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey