In a discussion I had with the father of a wonderful teenage daughter, he told me of an evening when he returned home and found his home full of ladies who had just finished an evening of games and refreshments. He told of how one of the ladies pulled him aside and proceeded to compliment him on his teenage daughter and how, without being asked or told, she served refreshments, cleared tables, washed dishes, and cleaned and straightened things around their home. This father’s reaction was, “Of course, it’s expected.” He never, however, expressed this to his daughter who was within range of hearing the conversation.
This moment in this father’s life found a special spot in my heart as I listened. How many times in our lives do we teach the correct principles and concepts of life to those around us and then ‘expect’ that it will sink in and automatically happen?
Life is more than expectation! In our relationships with our children, with our significant other, within our professional lives, and within our sphere of influence we should always convey the true principles and concepts of how we live, how we run our business, what our standards and core values are, and then allow whomever we touch to understand.
I would venture to say that this father understood how this lady could be impressed because the correct principles and concepts were taught and nurtured by example within the home. He did not truly ‘expect’ his daughter to do what she did, although he understood why she did.
If anyone has a similar story to share, I ‘d like to hear about it… please comment.
