I have been reading "The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that could Change Everything" by Brian McLaren. I'm not here to talk about the book much but it has really knocked me off the norm and made me think about myself in a whole different way. I don't know what about it has spurred on my self reflection but I have done some serious thinking on what makes me tick.... Partially, I think, I am doing this because I enjoy dissecting other people and trying to understand peoples' motives are and I have never really studied myself that well. It's been interesting to look and analyze my day to day actions. I feel like a great place to start is with my parents; after all, I am half of each of them. Now there is no question I 'mildly' resemble my father. I have to say we are striking men... but more on that later. I feel like my mom's main influence has to be my attitude. I'd like to think I carry some of her caring qualities and ability to see the better in people. I don't claim to be the quality of individual that my mother is by a long ways. For instance, I like to put Bryan first while my mother has always placed herself last. That is part of the reason that I am successful today is my mom carrying me through the tough stuff. And I assure that if she reads this she will simply say "that's my job... as a mom." Now Its easy to trace why my mother is who she is. She and I are loners, like her dad. Compassionate, like her mom. Caring, like both her parents. I know that I am a mixture of that blood that worked out to be me. I means so much to me that I feel like my entire life's purpose could be to carry on that blood and that would be sufficient. I could write a book on my mother and not get enough out there so I will just move on. My work ethic, my strength, and independence all come from David. Now I list those off quickly but they are all things that I feel like I had to be taught. It is something to for me to pick up these qualities and I will forever be in debt to him helping me become the success I know I can be.
Now I grew up in a house of women for sure. I lived with four sisters for a good portion of my life and it is something that I love about me. Jessica has always been that example of making it work. Later in life she has been invaluable in the way she allows me to bounce ideas off her and can give me honest advice without a bias. She has a way of cutting the bull shit without being harsh. Lacey has always been the image of what I never was. I was not the strong attitude in high school, nor the athlete she is. I was never that attractive or had girl problems like she has boy problems like she has. But Lacey has a special place with me because she was someone that I always felt like took what I had to say to heart. She at least pretended to need my advice and enjoyed getting it. It was nice to be looked up to. And last but not least A & B. Now I dont mean to lump you two together but yall are always a pair. It has been a pleasure to watch you two grow up and see two different personalities form in the same environment. I enjoy seeing it every minute.....
There is more to come on all this but I have to sleep now. I just felt like really getting a lot of this out on paper... You all mean so much to me... I don't say it enough... There are several more I want to include and plan to in future sections....
