Don’t forget to visit the “store” and purchase your print from the Flint Hills before I run out! Remember all images on this site are available for sale in any size and on different media. Just send me an email with any questions or requests. Thanks!
There has been lots of things going on in my life especially since the day I changed the calendar last year and decided that I didn’t want to be at the same place in life a year later, changing another calender in the same cubicle. I made the decision to take on any challenge before me and to “live for real.” Wow, it has been challenging, refreshing and life changing for sure. I hope my enthusiasm, trials, humor and successes have inspired some of you to wake up and start living too. We all have a purpose inside, but that purpose is hard to find sitting dazed in front of the TV every night.
One of my greatest goals, more important than inspiring you, is to inspire my children. Growing up, I learned to give in, follow the rules, and fall in line with everyone else. I didn’t realize after high school that I could actually do ANYTHING I wanted to. Even if I did, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I believed ungodly beliefs about myself and didn’t know what I was capable of. I went straight to college and got a degree so that I could begin to live the dream. That was 16 years ago and I have done more bouncing around from job to job, disillusioned about the meaning of life than living any dream. I want my kids to have the confidence to try new things, get to know their true selves and to find their purpose rather than falling into line and doing what’s expected of them and stuffing their true identities inside. That takes chutzpah, cojones, sisu, courage to be different.
Parenting didn’t come with a manual, and I have made many, many mistakes in my parenting role. I do think that I am getting better, but each child has a new set of rules. When it comes down to it, I just want my kids to feel loved, be happy and find satisfaction with life. That said, let me tell you about one of the joys in my life and make an announcement of a “spin-off” blog of the Adventure Monkey that you must check out.
A little over ten years ago, my lovely wife gave birth to an eight pound beautiful baby girl named Melissa Ann. Seeing her for the first time did something to my heart. Holding her in my arms gave me more joy than anything I have ever done. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes upon. My heart would never be the same from that time on. A new room was built in my heart to hold this new level of love. Now, I love my boys and have a special father-son bond with each one and love them very much, but there is something extra special, different about the father-daughter relationship.
As she grew up, we grew closer and closer. I think from a young age, she knew she had a special place in my heart. One look could melt any other feeling I was experiencing.
A kiss from this special girl, was more special than a kiss from any other.
You want blue pancakes? No problem. Blue pancakes on Mondays off were a special time we had together. The resulting green poop was quite funny too.
What a cutie pie.
She was always so spunky and full of life. She definitely had her own opinion about everything.
She didn’t always cooperate, but even when she cried, she made me smile.
The love between a father and daughter is a special thing.
Not to be outdone by her big brothers, she was and is quite the athlete.
As she grew older, her intellect and quick wit developed and she seemed more mature than most of her peers. I felt the same as a kid and know that can cause feelings of disconnectedness and loneliness. The need to belong can squelch the desire to be your own person. I want to raise my kids in such a way that they feel safe to express who they are and “find themselves” even if that means they are a little left of “normal.” Being true to the person inside is one step to being happy with life.
Melissa is growing up before my eyes. No longer a little girl, she is a young woman. She eccels in what she tries even if I have to give her a little push to try something new. She devours books late at night and likes to write stories too. Her sense of humor is sharp and makes me smile. She’s pretty awesome.
I know she is headed for great things. How do you keep your kids in line to continue getting better? That is a tough one to do, especially as they grow older and flex their independence more and more. Parents can hinder or help their kids develop. Once again I never received a manual and have been winging it for 17 years now, making many mistakes and experiencing triumphs along the way too.
I wanted Melissa to work on her writing skills, sense of humor and self expression. How could I get her to do that? I knew what worked for me – a blog. So seriously, it’s way funnier and entertaining than this one. Go check it out HERE, leave her a comment or two. It will make her day. So yeah, all this was to announce her new blog called Wonderlizard. You’ll get a kick out of it. I am proud of her and when you check it out, realize it’s coming from a ten year old.
On another note, I have the proof of Adventure Monkey version 2 in my hands. It looks fantastic. Release will be occurring very soon!
Feed Your Monkey!
Eric
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