I have yet to read the book To Kill a Mockingbird.
sidebar =>To be honest with you, I don't even know what the book is about. It may just be a How-To kind of book that teaches the average Joe to terminate the innocent life of a bird known as mockingbird. Maybe these birds have it coming, as their name suggest that they are natural born bullies and mockers (pun intended).
But today, I just want to give you a little sample of what is on my mind... I want a How-To book that will teach me any kind of way to kill, slice, stab or dice in tiny pieces that pretty little thing called MEDIOCRITY!
For far too long (30 years to be exact) I have felt that mediocrity has been having a big role in my life and I think I am beginning to understand why that is. These past 3 years have been eye opening for me. I have been noticing that many of the ways in which I have been living my life, have been derived or been driven by mediocre decisions, actions, beliefs and thoughts. From the way I treated friends, to the way I have taken my wife for granted. From the way I limit my involvement with my kids to the way I dishonor my own parents. And at that pace, I sure will not be complaining to my kids, if in their adult life, they choose to dishonor me as well.
The topic of mediocrity is too broad to discuss in a blog, but I can assure you, it is all over and around, with more surrounding efficiency than a BOSE Sound System. Look at your kids and check to see how they behave, act, respond to commands, treat others, use their manners, behave at school, behave in public, and so on. They are a good measuring stick for us to determine which way we are heading and how mediocre our lives can be, as many times, they are a reflection of how we conduct our lives. On the other hand, they can be the ones we can look up to, to kick mediocrity right in the grapes. For example, they can go out to the street and make friends with almost any kid that passes by, while you may not know the name of the neighbor 3 doors down. Ask them, at any given point in time during the day to do 20 jumping jacks, and they take off running to do something more body intense, right after they are done with the 20 JJ's. I get tired just trying to coordinate my legs and arms to get in the right sequence: arms up, legs closed, legs open, arms... "wait, is that a doughnut hole?"
Take this, not as an insult, but something to consider. What is one thing you can do (just one thing) to kill some mediocrity's nuggets tomorrow?
start that work out you are putting off * meet a new neighbor * use kind words around the house all day * greet your wife and kids as if you have not seen them for weeks * stop randomly to tell your wife that you love her (or just text her while at work) * call your Mom and/or Dad and thank them for something they did for you lately * get to church this weekend to show your kids the value of a good wholesome spiritual life * make it a priority to eat at the dinner table as a family * have a date with your kids (individually).
What other simple suggestions do you have that you would like to share?
Killing a mockingbird can't be that hard. Killing Mediocrity, might be even easier.
Have a great one!
AL
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