Natural Leaders

I got to thinking the other day how I'll feel when my children are all grown up. Specifically with our sons, since that what we have right now. I asked my husband for his male point of view of ways that I could continue to foster my close relationships with them and he said this: "If you worry about losing touch with them, you will." At first I didn't like the blatent frankness of his comment, but upon further reflection I get what he meant. He means that being a worried mother isn't productive, it's annoying. Yes that too is frank, but I like it because it reminded me how no one told me (although my parents set a great example) how to be the mother, teacher, mentor, friend that I am to them now, so it's best for me to keep doing what I've been doing naturally (yes, the intensity and necessity of these roles will change) which in turn should result in them growing naturally. 

In addition to having a close relationship with our children, I also consider it very important to raise strong and independent thinkers who will positively contribute to society. I know how inspirational I found quotes to be while growing up and therefore decided to start a list of favorites that I plan to share with our children one day....

"Same Behavior = Same Results." -Dr. Phil McGraw

'When people show you who they are, believe them." -Dr. Phil McGraw


"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King Jr. 

"Never let your world be as small as it seems." - Leslie Bibb

"I'm just trying to matter." -June Carter Cash

"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one." -Dolly Parton

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." -Dolly Parton

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." -Dolly Parton

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." -Dolly Parton

"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try." -Dolly Parton

'The best things in life aren't things" - Art Buchwald

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Friendship with ones self is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Women are like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn't have the power to say yes." -Eleanor Roosevelt

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt