What have I learned from example? I didn’t learn love from example, well, actually I should say I learned it differently from each parent, in a different season of my upbringing. Growing up, most of what I learned about love and showing it to one another came from my father. My father gave to everyone, seldom was the answer no to a need. Obviously he said no to many things in my childhood, but I saw him give so much of himself for, not only our family, but to those around us.

He would help families get back on their feet, a husband struck by addiction, had a home in our (what would now be considered) ADU. I remember my father wanting to stop fights, if he saw them. Never was he ashamed or too embarrassed to help or intervene. He didn’t have to tell me to be kind to everyone, or to help when I saw a need, I learned by watching him. And until this moment, I never questioned where my spirit to help derived from. I guess I would have said, that’s who I am, it’s part of my innate gifts.

But, is it?

Or was it a passive learned behavior from my father? No parent is perfect, and as much I strive to be everything to my kids, I understand that if I can teach them compassion, kindness, and love through actions, maybe I’ve accomplished everything. It’s amazing how much we can discover upon reflection.

Happy Thursday

XO