Are YOU a Role Model? Day 21

Good morning to you. I hope you have a wonderful day. In fact, I want to share with you that this day can be the best day of your life. We must take charge of our own thoughts. You believe whatever you set your mind to believe. You feel about yourself, what you set in your mind and focus on. This is the best day of my life. I have my children that I love and adore, my health that I work on almost daily by exercising and closely monitoring what I eat. I love all of you, even though I do not know you. I do not want to live without loving. We can choose to love or we can choose to dislike and/or hate. I'd much rather love and be loved. But be loved at what price I ask? I will not be dishonest and tell you sweet things to make you feel good just to get you to like me. NOT. I will be honest with you because I know that the truth with help you so much more than being pretentious. So I ask you, Are YOU a role model? Do you know what a role model is? Do our children, family and/or friends look to us for advice? Or do they look at our behavior as to what they DO NOT want to emulate? What is the TRUTH?

Truth-the true or actual state of a matter; ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience.

Role Model- a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, esp. by younger people.
*A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate.

I pose this question because in our star struck society, the people that are suppose to be examples of who we and/or our children should emulate are more of the examples of what I do not want my children to aspire. Lets briefly review a few for purposes of clarity: (Please note that I do not personally know any of these people, but they are in the public domain as examples)

Star Struck-captivated by famous people or by fame itself.

Paris Hilton- She is an heiress to a vast fortune. Her grandfather, I believe, built some hotels may years ago and there began the Hilton legacy. So what does she do? Paris is known in the public as having many different boyfriends, making sex tapes, and shopping. Is she a role model for our daughters?

I respectfully refer you to the definition above. But I can tell you without one doubt that I do not want my daughter to emulate her behavior.

Little Wayne-(rapper) He is known for his rap lyrics and selling millions of records. He uses disgusting and profane language in his songs. He has a complete disregard for respecting women and children. He presently may have two or three DIFFERENT women pregnant by him, stimultaneously. I ask you again, is he a role model for our sons?

Again, I can unequivocally tell you that he is not a role model for my son. I would not want my son to emulate his behavior.

Emulate-to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass:

Now let us look at the man or woman in the mirror. Are YOU a role model? Do you want your children to emulate your behavior? Do we want them to emulate the behavior they see on TV or in the movies? They will emulate behavior, the only questions is whose?

Let me look in MY mirror. I consider myself a role model in some ways and not in others. For example, when it comes to my children understanding that education is the key to effective communication, I am an example. When it comes to displaying that hard/smart work ethics is critical, I am an example. When it comes to displaying love to them, I consider myself an example. But I need to do better, much better. When it comes to displaying patience and understanding, I need to rapidly improve. I can, of course, go on and on. But I ask this question because we should ask it of ourselves daily. It is a fact that our children will emulate behavior. It is one way they learn, by watching others. Again, the only genuine question is whose behavior will they emulate? So I ask you, do you want them to emulate YOURS?

THINK ABOUT IT. Have a wonderful day.

L. for Love