Becoming the Best-Version-of-Yourself

"Well, Max, if a fish is good at being a fish, and a bird is good at being a bird, then you Max, are good at being Max.  You are not here to be Michael or Hannah or Will, you are here to be you...You are here to become the-best-version-of-yourself." 

 My stepmom (Grandma Meg) just bought this book for my boys and excitedly read it to them a couple of nights in a row at bedtime.  The source of this quote and this idea are already making a huge impact in my family's life. It is entitled Why am I Here? - a story about becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! by Matthew Kelly.

Yesterday, on the way home from school, one of my son's friends fell off of his bike.  His elbow was all bloody and he kept holding one of his shoulders.  My boys jumped into action!  One of them ran home (unbeknownst to me) and came back with a Band-Aid.  My other son walked his friend's bike to his mom.  When we got home, my oldest son said, "I need to call Grandma Meg!!"  "Why?", I asked.  He said, "I need to tell her about being the-best-version-of-myself!!!  She told me to call her when that happens!"  So, he called and I think his Grandma has had few prouder moments.  He got it!

He was so thrilled at having been the-best-version-of-himself that he wanted to find more things to do.  He made a card for his friend and we rode bikes over to his house to hand-deliver it.  His friend wasn't home, so he just left it at the front door, but he was beaming!  He was so proud of himself and I know he is eager to repeat the experience of being the-best-version-of-himself and the wonderful feelings that go with it.

If you have children and want them to become the best-version-of-themselves, this book is an awesome way to communicate what that looks like, and they can grasp it!!  It is an awesome way to start the conversation.  It's good for grown-ups, too!

I don't think we can be reminded too often that the sum of our life is simply all of our daily choices added up.  Our choices are important! 

Dear God, Thank you for the idea of becoming the-best-version-of-ourselves.  We know what you want from us, but it is not always easy to put it into words or understand what it is supposed to look like.  Thank you for grandmas and people who want the very best for us and our children, and who know how to love them well.  Thank you for children and so many chances to make the best choice.  I love you.  Amen.