When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking…
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
A friend recently shared with me a beautiful poem, When You thought I Wasn’t Looking. It is written with a child’s words. She speaks of the simple experiences she observed, and how they impacted and shaped her life.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my
Favorite cake for me, and learned that the little
Things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a
Meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
Learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come
From your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
Hurt but it is alright to cry.
The repetition and cadence of these words – ‘When you thought I wasn’t looking’ – rings in our ears. They remind us that everything we do influences others. Stephen Covey tells us: “Role modeling is the most basic responsibility of parents. Parents are handing life’s scripts to their children, scripts that in all likelihood will be acted out for the rest of the children’s lives.” You are the role models who will help shape and influence the lives of others. Your actions become the scripts that will be played out in the lives of those you serve. People will draw lessons from you, because of the qualities that they see in you. Your choices of words and actions will serve as the inspiration to others who will compose their own poem of you. Perhaps the poem someone will write about you will read:
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you believe in me
And I learned to grow in my own self-confidence.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you tell others of their
Infinite possibilities, and I began to find my own potential.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you sit quietly and concerned
About people, and I learned the importance of caring.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you stand by your principles
And values in difficult situations, and I learned that I would live my life
Based on my own values and do what’s right
Each word you speak, action you take, decision you make will add to the majesty and beauty of your poem. May it be epic in its richness, that others in reading it, may see the legacy of your life’s example. Whom are you watching? To whom will you one day say: “When you thought I wasn’t looking, you changed my life forever.”
Have a beautiful day and a fantastic week!!!
Mike
- Three Minute Leadership: Beyond Optimization to Innovation
- Three Minute Leadership: Trying Something New Every Thirty Days