halrunkel
“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” (Shaquille O’Neal)
“I perform random acts of Shaqness,” declares the Twitter profile of basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
An unlikely source for parenting inspiration, but it ties in with the wisdom he shares about excellence being habitual versus a singular act, and it couldn’t be truer when it comes to being a parent. Our parenting journeys are filled with random acts (triumphs and mistakes), but what’s most important is consistency in maintaining our integrity across these acts.
Excellent parenting doesn’t come at the slam-dunk moment when we give birth to our kids and begin the journey; it transcends this single act (and all others) and comes in the everyday grind with our kids.
We achieve excellence when we focus on how we do things as individuals. Whether or not your child is a basket-case — that’s beside the point. Your parenting is successful when you keep your cool even when your child doesn’t. Focus on your own game, practice and hone your skills and emotions habitually.
Remember: the ball is always in your court!
(How well did I dribble that metaphor to death?)
Peace begins with a pause,
Hal
