{"id":6412,"date":"2017-02-12T12:53:12","date_gmt":"2017-02-12T20:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/xangelle.com\/dailygrind\/?p=6412"},"modified":"2024-02-13T12:33:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T19:33:41","slug":"a-letter-to-my-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xangelle.com\/dailygrind\/a-letter-to-my-children\/","title":{"rendered":"A Letter to my Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

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photo from 2015 (we definitely need an update)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

To my Children, <\/em><\/p>\n

I love you with all my heart and I only want the very best for you.\u00a0 This world we live in, now,\u00a0 is a funny place.\u00a0 There was positive Peer pressure when I was growing up that I don\u2019t see happening, now. Not that there aren\u2019t good people out there, but it seems like some of the \u201ccommon sense\u201d life lessons don\u2019t hold the same weight now as they did then.\u00a0 Those \u201clife lessons\u201d are just as important now, in fact, they may be even more important but they aren\u2019t as prevalent.\u00a0 I realize that talking like this only widens and exaggerates the age gap between us but I feel that there is a limited time for me to influence and instill\u00a0 these values within you.\u00a0 I know that I tell you these things, ALL THE TIME <\/em>(insert massive eye roll here) but I think these are too important for me to remain quiet.<\/em><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Work Hard<\/strong><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t care what anyone around you is doing or how hard they are working. Your employer is paying YOU for your time. Give them your best.\u00a0 Lead by example.\u00a0 Set the bar high.\u00a0 You will get noticed and your efforts will never be in vain.\u00a0 Your best may look differently than that of others around you.\u00a0 I\u2019m not holding you to someone else\u2019s standards\u2026\u2026YOU do YOUR best.\u00a0 And always be aware of what around you is needing to be done.\u00a0 Pick up the slack. And if you don\u2019t know\u2026..ASK!\u00a0 Communication will be your best tool, in ALL ASPECTS of life.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Be Respectful<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let the virtue of Respect emanate from\u00a0 every cell of your being.\u00a0 Be respectful in your actions, with your words, to your employers and fellow employees, to customers…..to humanity, in general.\u00a0 But also be respectful of yourself.\u00a0 If you respect yourself, others will respect you.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Set Boundaries<\/strong><\/p>\n

Setting boundaries is critical.\u00a0 Work hard and then let it go, when you are done for the day.\u00a0 It\u2019s not your job to carry the weight of the world.\u00a0 You are not responsible to do more than you can.\u00a0 If you work hard, and work smart; be proud of what you\u2019ve accomplished and don\u2019t carry the weight of what you couldn\u2019t do. Take care of yourself, because YOU are responsible for your well being. Setting boundaries is something that needs to be learned and exercised in ALL areas of life.<\/p>\n

Get good at setting and enforcing YOUR boundaries.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s critical to know what things that you are responsible for and what things you are not responsible for. Take care of the things you are responsible for and learn to be okay with letting the things you are not responsible for, go.\u00a0 As your Nana says, \u201cNot my pig. Not my Farm<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Be okay with saying\u00a0 NO.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s okay to say no.\u00a0 If you work hard, and are respectful\u2026..then setting and honouring your boundaries is ok.\u00a0 You do not have to accept every shift or help out everytime you are asked.\u00a0 Do what you can\/want\/need to do, but also know that too much is not a good thing. Being available is one thing but being \u201cused\u201d is completely different.\u00a0 Practise saying \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0 I know that sounds silly, but it\u2019s an important skill to learn.\u00a0 Unfortunately, too many people haven’t learned to say it, and then end \u00a0up burned out and resentful towards others, when it\u2019s their own lack of ability to set and enforce personal boundaries.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Know your Value, Your Worth and Your Principles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, I know you are still figuring your self\u00a0 out BUT\u2026\u2026You do have value.\u00a0 You do have worth.\u00a0 and You do have principles.\u00a0 Knowing who you are and what you stand for will make a huge difference between allowing yourself to get pushed around and being a leader.<\/p>\n