missionmightymom

What if we could change the trajectory of our country in just one generation? What if we had the power to make it one that our babies and their babies would be proud of?

Moms. Dads. Aunts. Uncles. Grandparents. WE DO. We have that power. We have all the power and all of the responsibility. It is my job, and yours, for the sake of them, to get this right.

It is time that we, the adults, step up. It is time that we lead by example. It is time that we be the change we want to see. It is time, once and for all.

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”   — James Baldwin, novelist

Ouch! It’s true. (I need this reminder- today and everyday)

I will take responsibility for mine. And I beg of you- take responsibility for yours. Together, let’s teach these babes that kindness is cool, that compassion is not weakness, and that we can love one another even when we don’t agree with one another. Let’s teach them to pray, diligently, for each other. And if you aren’t a believer, I will teach mine to love you still and to pray for you even so. And I hope that you will teach yours to not be offended by the love or the prayers.

Let’s teach them, in our moments of weakness, that it is okay to be imperfect. That no one is perfect.

Let’s teach them to offer a hand, to offer help. Let’s teach them that assumptions and characterizations can be hurtful and dangerous. Let’s teach them to be responsible for their actions and to own up to their mistakes (which do not define them- let’s teach them that too!). And let’s teach them to ask for forgiveness and to offer forgiveness.

I will raise mine to know that they are no more worthy and no more deserving than yours. I will teach them that we are all created equal and I will teach them to love thy neighbor. Will you?

Together, let’s show our future what hard work looks like, and that it pays off. Let’s be their leaders by educating ourselves (not with Facebook “facts” or Kardashian tweets) and expressing ourselves in ways that produce results.

Please, let’s teach our kids that violence is never- ever under any circumstance the answer.

Let’s teach them to give without expecting to receive. Let’s teach them that they are important, but never too important and that a smile goes a really long way.

I will teach my babies to give compliments freely and to take criticism in stride. I will teach them to pick up trash and to open doors and to let that driver who refused to merge way back there squeeze in- because there is a story, a reason, one that we know nothing of- because that is being kind- and being kind is cool.

Let’s live by example lives that teach that one’s value is not based on salary, or beauty, or car, or color- it is the heart that matters, and an open heart is invaluable. Because it is only with open hearts that we can change our trajectory.

And it is time.