Leading by Example

​Leading by Example

Most of my tribe knows me as being the tough warrior, always pushing forward. Making it through my own battles to come out on the other side and show others that they can make it too. I love coaching and helping others through their own battles, this is a huge part of my life. I love watching warriors stand up and chase their own dreams, this gives me absolute joy and fulfillment. This is my dream that I stand up and chase everyday (some days more than others).

However, as a busy mom, my first priority is always my family. I have 2 beautiful children, ages 8 and 4 – they fuel me more than anything else because I know they are watching. Just like any other busy mom out there – sometimes there are days when I feel like I barely kept my head above water (if you have kids – you KNOW what I mean).
 
There are days when you look at your kids and ask “did you actually listen and hear ANYTHING I said?”. But then – you get a glimpse that they really did hear you – or that something you said sunk in – finally.
 
This week, I had a parent-teacher conference for my 8-year-old daughter and of course they have papers that your child has done for you to look over and discuss. That’s when I caught this little gem – a concept that most adults struggle with. A fill in the blank question, filled in so beautifully.
 
To work toward my goal, I will FOLLOW MY DREAM.
 
This is a normal concept for a child – that you are supposed to follow your dreams. These are things they tell you when you are a child – follow your dreams, you can be anything you want to be, you can do anything, etc.
 
Then as we get older, these dreams get pushed down. We feel that when we become a “grown up” we have to be realistic. We live in fear, lack and self-doubt and so we don’t stand up to claim the dreams that we have and chase after them. We just push those dreams down, pull up our bootstraps and go do “adulting”.
 
Why do we feel that once we become an adult that our dreams go out the window and we have to do things that we don’t want to do? Let me ask you a more important question – what are we teaching our kids by not chasing our dreams?
 
We tell our kids to chase their dreams – but yet, most parents don’t chase their own dreams. What you are showing your kids? Are you showing them that you lead by example and chase your dreams? Or, are you showing them that you loathe what you do and that being a “grown up” means you don’t do what you love?
 
I know that it can be overwhelming as a parent – for real! These days there are so many people with their own opinion on how to raise kids the “right way”. How you want to raise your kids – that’s totally your business and what works for some won’t work for others.
 
My biggest point though – kids aren’t stupid. They are very smart, intuitive and observant beings – and they are watching.
 
If you are going to preach to them that they can do anything and be anything they want – to truly chase their own dreams – shouldn’t you be chasing yours? They are watching, waiting, and wanting to be lead the way by your own example. Show them the strong warrior that gets up and goes after their dreams. Put the action behind your words, even though it might be scary at first.
 
“Don’t let fear stop you from doing the thing you love.” Buster Moon - SING
 
Remember…
Life is What You Choose
 
XO Renea