“It’s not too late…you can do more!”

Although it’s been a few weeks since I last posted, I can assure you that I haven’t been slacking.  Nope, I haven’t been sitting on an exotic beach sipping on fruity drinks with little umbrellas.  Nor have I been traveling with my son continuing our father-son tradition.  And as difficult as this might be to believe, I haven’t attended any FSU home football games.

If it’s hard for you to believe that I’ve been too busy to do any of those things, imagine how difficult not doing them has been for me.  Regrettably, there’s been no sand between my toes, neither Naeem nor I have found an opportune date on the calendar to collectively create new memories and I haven’t shared even one tomahawk chop with 82,300 of my closest friends.  I’ve simply been busier than ever.

More than just being busy, I’ve been working with laser focus and increased determination.  Each day, I’ve been going all out to make my dreams come true.

DREAMS COME TRUE

Several years ago, my then fourteen year old son gave me some life altering advice.  Naeem said these words to me “it’s not too late…you can do more!”  Words that were initially only intended to buoy a father’s broken spirit have become the son’s perpetual family command and the father’s eternal societal obligation.

Now from the moment that I awake each morning to that wee hour when I fall asleep, my thoughts rarely stray from my dream.  Both haunted and inspired by my son’s words, I dream almost exclusively of one thing.  I dream of changing the world, one parent, and one child at a time.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

During the last couple weeks, while you probably thought I was basking in the sun and frolicking on the beach, I wasn’t.  I was visiting some of America’s greatest colleges and universities; taking an online class through one of America’s top business schools; developing numerous public presentations; watching documentaries, listening to podcasts and reading voraciously about innovative leaders; meeting and collaborating with others who are committed to changing the world; completing the manuscript for a new book; speaking to students and educators; uniting community members for an education revolution; creating the curriculum to host a parenting engagement workshop; and sharing my story in every medium possible with anyone who dares to listen.  And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg because I’m just getting started.

Now don’t get it twisted!  Telling you what I’ve been up to the last couple of weeks is not some clandestine attempt to brag.  I’m not looking for false flattery, rousing applause nor do I want you to pat me on the back.  For the record, I hate being patted on the back.  Whatever you do, please for the love of God don’t ever pat me on the back.

But I digress.  Explaining what I’ve been doing lately is a personal indictment, it’s my truth serum…it’s my overdue confession.  Telling you what I’ve been doing is my “Dr. Phil get real moment”.  Because as fulfilling as the last few weeks have been they have been even more condemning.  The last couple weeks prove yet again the validity of Naeem’s words, I could have and I should have been doing more a long time ago.

KIDS SAY THE DARNEST THINGS

As much as I love and think highly of my son, it would be disingenuous if I didn’t admit that it’s sort of embarrassing to confess that it took the words of my son to encourage me to find my purpose and to pursue that purpose with passion.  It’s almost humiliating to acknowledge that a son had to tell his father – a man with several degrees and 30 additional years of life experience – “it’s not too late…you can do more!”  And yet that’s exactly what occurred.  A child helped his parent find his way.

Hopefully, the whirlwind of my last couple weeks is a reminder of the powerful, potentially life changing and life affirming words often uttered by our children.  Children tell us important things about ourselves over and over again.  Important words that we too infrequently hear.  Sage recommendations that we rarely ever put into action.

IT’S YOUR TURN

In hindsight, I now have little doubt that Naeem said the words, “it’s not too late…you can do more!” many times before I finally heard him and embraced his words.  Fortunately for me, I did finally hear him and I’ve since taken his advice.  But what about you?  What is your child telling you about yourself that you refuse to hear?  What has your child been telling you about your life and your potential that you haven’t put to use?

Your child and the universe are counting on you to discover your purpose and to pursue it with passion.  More importantly, you owe it to yourself to live your one life with a keen focus and a relentless determination.  There is no better time than right now for you to start listening to and begin acting on your child’s advice.

I listened to my child six years ago when he said, “it’s not too late…you can do more!”  Isn’t it time you listened to your child?  Six years ago, I heard my child loud and clear when he told me, “it’s not too late…you can do more!”  Isn’t it past time you paid attention to your child?

How did you lose your focus?  What dreams have you deferred?  Why are you no longer determined?  Which of your many goals are past due?