I was walking out of a Chapters bookstore (Canada’s national bookselling chain) and before crossing the road to get to my car, I did what a lot of us do, I looked left, then right, then left again before starting to cross.

It struck me that I was using a lesson that I was taught almost 29 years ago by my parents. Look both ways before crossing the street. Now, do I have a specific memory of being taught that? No, but I know I was. I know as an adult I’ve almost been hit several times when I didn’t heed this advice.

It got me thinking about how much we value or devalue the influence parents have on their chldren. As a society we seem to swing between to opposing viewpoints. If a teenager goes into a school and fires a gun, we ask ‘where were the parents?’ This is coupled however, with an opposing belief that that same teenager doesn’t care what their parents think and that parents no longer have any influence over their children.

What a terrible assumption. Thankfully, research is bearing this out to be a false assumption.

A recent study by the UK Department for Children, Schools, and Families found that three quarters of teens wish their parents would talk openly about sex. This runs contrary to the cultural perception that teens don’t want to listen to their parents and instead prefer to use celebrities and peers as their role models.

Also contrary to the popular image of the rebellious teenager, another study shows that teens who believed that their parents would strongly disapprove of smoking were less likely to become smokers than their peers who believed that neither parent would disapprove. And the effect of parental disapproval remained significant even if the parents were smokers themselves.

Finally, two more studies, one by the American Bible Scoiety and another by research group Child Trends, demosntrate that not only do parents have a significant role in developing a childs positive self-image, teens also look up to their parents far more then celebrities and athletes as role models.

So parents, don’t ever give up opportunities to educate, listen, and love your children. Even if they don’t act like it, they are listening.

Wait a minute… I always heard “quitters never win and winners never quit”

So did I. Sounds good but perhaps not the greatest advice.

What do I mean you should quit? Well, what goal are you trying to achieve? What’s your burning desire?

What other activities are you also doing that are draining your energy and taking up space in your schedule?

This is where quitting comes in. In order to be totally focussed on your main objective you may need to quit, at least temporarily, some of your other activities.

I believe work-life balance is a lie. You can have perfect balance but it’s unlikely you’ll achieve excellence in any one area. It’s a matter of what you’ll be excellent at NOW. You may choose something else tomorrow.

So don’t be afraid to quit the things that don’t serve your ultimate purpose.

Recommended reading: The Dip by Seth Godin.

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I’m just running out the door, but I wanted to thank all the mothers out there for all that you do. We love you and honour you.

Sunset in Alberta. Courtesy of Talie

Two farmers badly needed rain to grow their crops.
They both prayed to God for rain.
Only one farmer tilled his field and prepared it to receive the rain.

Which one do you think God gave the rain to?

Which are you?

Are you waiting for something to happen before you proceed on a project or idea? Are you waiting that elusive ‘sign’?

Here’s the message: Don’t wait. Have trust. Trust that those things that are necessary will fall into place when you are ready to receive them.

Stop waiting for everything on the checklist to be completed before you move on.

The only thing you are likely to achieve thru inaction is more inaction and waiting.

Till your field. Prepare for rain.

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from John C. Maxwell’s book ‘Ethics 101′ (p. 92)

• Care more then others think is wise
• Risk more then others think is safe
• Dream more then others think is practical
• Expect more than others think is possible
• Work more than others think is necessary

“There is no traffic jam on the extra mile” - Zig Ziglar

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“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal that was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.”
Orison Swett Marden

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Ok, if these photos don’t melt your heart you’re spending too much time in the cold.

These are from a friend of mine Talie (awesome graphic/web designer). These are her horses and the barn cat. If only us humans could set aside our differences this easily.

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