Through the Eyes of Om - Reach higher

Have you ever had that morning, you know, the one where in your head the thought passes, "just 5 more minutes"? Or perhaps you wish that the snooze button could somehow be connected to your mind so that you could simply use telepathy to "think it back to sleep". Well, I just had a morning like that the other day, and let me tell you, my parents both did not appreciate me getting up in the wee hours of the morning to disrupt their morning routine! But that's ok...because we are all starting to gain an understanding that with a new 2-year old (that's me!), things just cannot be the same.

Some of the most important things that I've come to realize with both of my parents, is that they were both supported by a wonderful set of parents (grandparents to me). This foundation of guidance and tough love, has contributed to how they both interact with one another, as well as with others. You could say that they continue to do their very best in providing me with every opportunity a 2-year old could want in order to follow in their footsteps, while still finding my own way. Yes, it's true that I have the stubbornness and tenacity of my dad, with a mind to explore and do things in my own way. Couple this with the intelligence and ability to remain persistent in the face of adversity, like my mom, and there are no places or things that are safe from my inquisitiveness.

I believe that with each new opportunity and experience that I begin to come across, there will always come a time in which I will have to make some sort of critical decision. Perhaps it will deal with how do I convince my parents that having ice cream after every meal is a good thing, or maybe if I continue to ask with the word please it will certainly have to happen. Maybe it will be how can I stay up just a bit later because I wanted to read my Dr. Seuss book just one more time. Or perhaps if I ask for something over, and over, and over again, they will just have to give in. Regardless of the situation and circumstances, I've noticed a few things that really seem to resonate with me.

So here are a few observations from me to you:

1. You don't know what you don't know - in a day and age in which information is easily accessible, really take the time to explore what you don't know. It's easy to fall into a routine and stay in a comfort zone, but believe this...it is up to you to self-develop and educate yourself along with others.
2. Push yourself, then share what you've discovered - so many successful leaders today preach about having the ability to tell a story. Not any story, but your own story. There is a reason that things happen to all of us, it's real and it's authentic...take the time to really think about your own and decide which ones to share.
3. Empathize with those that you might not ever meet - it's easy to just dismiss someone because of their outward appearance. Remember this phrase, "never judge a book by its cover"? It doesn't take much to show some kindness and respect to a person, regardless of how they seem to be on the outside.

"If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."

-Zig Ziglar

Imagine if you can, what this all could mean for you. Do you have to make changes to your own life? Is there a right way to do any of this? What if you don't know how to go about finding your own passion? Will others be there to support you in your self-development? There are no right answers to any of these questions. Stay confident in the fact that you are even beginning to think about these things. Simply consider how you can aim higher in your everyday capacity to create new and exciting experiences for yourself and for others and you will have already done something different today.

-Om