A few years back a good friend told me I was "easily influenced". At the time it bugged me and I dwelled on those two words for a long time. You know how once you "name" something it really becomes noticeable and it's in the back of your mind nagging you?
Then something beautiful happened. One day instead of those words nagging me I just went ahead and owned them...because they were true. I AM easily influenced. Let me tell ya, this was a wonderful feeling and it led me to exploring this statement about myself. I'm a pleaser. My "love language" is words of affirmation. Knowing that I am easily influenced helps me to be aware that I need to surround myself with positive influences (daily prayer, good friends, Bible study groups, excellent parenting books/resources/blogs, etc.) Over the past few years, being aware of that one simple statement has helped me GROW in my faith, friendships and parenting.
Personalities are formed at such an early age. As my kids get older I am learning that if I observe what "makes them tick," I can parent them better. Not only can I be better at "filling their love tanks", I can help them "name" qualities they have that we will have to nurture as they get older. This is SO important because a quality (ie. easily influenced) can certainly be "fed" in healthy ways, but it can also be "fed" in very unhealthy ways.
Betsy is a "pleaser" for sure. Sometimes it is a subtle "Do you like how I am listening Mommy?" and sometimes it is way more obvious. Last night she is sitting beside me on the couch and hollers into the kitchen to JB, "Daddy, I really love this football game!" Then she turns and whispers in my ear, "I really don't like football. I'm just saying that because I know it makes Daddy happy."
I busted out laughing. I'm telling you what, she's hysterical. So many things about her are wise beyond her years and she has a VERY complex personality for a four year old. I know that the more I observe and learn about her, the more I can help her GROW. I'm up for the challenge!
PS: I'm noticing WAY too many quotations here...I'm picturing myself as Chris Farley (SNL skit) flying into the air!
2 comments:
Feel free to use "quotes"...you'll never use them as much as I use "..."! I think being "easily influenced" would be worse than "being set in your ways"...it's definitely more fun to try new things rather than never change and possibly grow!
I love this!
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