Saturday, February 13, 2010

Walk It Like You Talk It

“What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say. 
                                                           - Ralph Waldo Emerson

All parents want their kids to grow up to be honorable human beings – to be God-fearing,  honest, loving, and morally upright.   Sadly, our kids learn more from our actions than they do our lectures.  I have read countless of parenting books reminding me of this adage that it should be imprinted in me already by this time.  This is not saying that I have the most virtuous kids in the neighborhood; on the contrary, I think it only stresses that I have the worst memory. :)

Save for a few lapses, I seriously try to model what I say and I try to live my life the way I want them to live theirs.  Healthy habits, active lifestyle, love for learning and fear of the Lord are some of the habits I consciously try to put into practice everyday.  And I hope that my actions speak as loudly as my words.

Nonetheless, I acknowledge my limitations, and when it comes to certain things I throw in the white towel:  I have never been and will never be the athletic, multi-sport type of person.  Knowing that I simply cannot make my kids better than the examples they see around them everyday, I have gathered a few “athletic” friends who agreed to share their stories to serve as inspiration.  So in the next few days, you will read about a friend who live a very active and purposeful life that will surely inspire everyone.

2 comments :

  1. I hear you. It is very difficult to raise kids nowadays and as a parent, it is doubly hard to be conscious of your words and actions all the time. We need all the support we can get.

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  2. I agree with you both. Our responsibility to our children is to provide them with the TOOLS to live their life fully - well-balanced, well-adapted, and reaching their potentials. We provide the tools for them the best way we can - leading by example and garnering the support of our family, friends, and community. After all, an African proverb states, "it takes a village to raise a child..."

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