24: Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person

I've realized something after looking back on this week's endeavor: Principle 24 is not my strong suit!  I have no personal examples of success - or failure - to share with you.  And, no, I did not sit back and wait until today to think about this week's principle.  Rather, I gave Principle 24 plenty of thought throughout the week and I decided that it goes against my grain a little bit.  You see I'm a perfectionist. I'm Type-A.  Whatever you want to call it, mistakes are bad enough.  Talking about them (and therefore, admitting them to others) is pretty much torture!

Luckily, there's hope for me yet because I have some great leadership role models in my life.  My father is Exhibit A.  My dad visited us this week and he started to help Tyler with his pancakes at breakfast.  Little did my dad know, that Tyler prefers NOT to be helped with his pancakes now.  When my dad poured syrup on Tyler's pancake, my two-year old began to all-out bawl.

You know what my dad did?  He didn't crumble.  He didn't lose his temper either.  Instead, he started to talk about his mistake.  He explained to Tyler that he hasn't visited in awhile and doesn't realize everything that Tyler is capable of now.  I would be lying to say that this completely diffused my toddler but the situation definitely didn't escalate.  And most of us know that this lack of escalation is a sign of success when it comes to two year olds!

So I press on with my journey, knowing full well that each week may not bring a success story.  What I do know is that each week brings an attempt to be better.  As Gandhi said, "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."  Here's to all the learning that is yet to come on this adventure!

Papa and Tyler