Recently I attended a leadership training (www.wayfo.com) sponsored by my company. There was a lot of mystery leading up to the weekend. Many other colleagues had already attended the training and couldn't really talk too much about the specifics but I knew two things:
1. People I respected came back more enthusiastic, positive and were excited about their day, so that got me excited.
2. I was going in June... to Houston... in June... outside for most of the weekend... in June...
I can't tell you about a lot of the specifics about the training, mostly because the excitement and sometimes fear of the things I did are so much a part of the experience, that by telling you I would actually be doing you a huge dis-service, in the event it is something you decide to do for yourself. I am being totally serious here. It was for me, nothing short of life-changing. And not in that Message in A Bottle, I want to appreciate my wife more life-changing. It was more along the lines of strip me to the core, shake me awake, build me back up and never look back kind of life-changing. The kind of change you never want to recover from.
I did things emotionally, physically, and mentally, that up to that moment I would have never believed possible. I clearly saw where I am falling down as a father and was making excuses for my behavior. Let me say, just because you are giving your kids a better life than you had, or you are a better parent than you had, it is NOT ENOUGH!
I know some of you (mostly those who do not live next door) think I am a good father, and for that thank you! And if you do live next door, thank you for not turning me in! In truth, I was a pretty good dad, but now I am a Great dad! My kids get it too. I was "on the ranch" for four days. I have been away from home for longer than that before, and when I came home the kids ran up to me, looked for their gifts and took off outside. This time, they could sense something was different about me... none of them wanted to leave my side. All day they fought about who got to sit with me or hold my hand. There was such a noticeable change, when we were in the store, they kept asking me for toys or treats. They were going to take full advantage of this new, nicer dad!
So in all seriousness, let your kids be kids and let yourself be a kid too! Let them jump on the bed, get up there with them! Make this time in their lives as happy and memorable as possible. Make memories with them and be present in their lives. Be a kid with them, and don't worry too much about the mess, it can always be cleaned up. We started a new tradition, we have a dance party every morning, the kids love it and it gets them so pumped to start their day, and honestly it gets me jazzed to head into work!
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