I got a phone call Saturday night from my mom and she doesn’t normally call, she texts or we see each other in person, so I picked up immediately.
“Maclin just woke up, and he is literally streaming tears and crying because Uncle John left …”
Now, before we tar and feather Uncle John, let’s get the whole story 🙂
Earlier last week my sister Holly sent me a text and asked if I could watch the boys on Saturday and split-shift with our mom, because she and my brother in-law Phil had to both work (they’re in the restaurant world).
I told her I too had to work, however, I could come over after work and relieve our mom for a couple hours until she or Phil got home.
So, after work, and a lunch meeting I’d planned previously, I went over to see my nephews Maclin, who will be 4 in April, and Marshall, who will be 1 in April.
My mom, or ‘mom-mom’ to them, was there as well.
So, I’m guessing if you’re a mom, you’ll understand when I say that a mom (and most women) tasked with watching babies is/are ‘always on’.
That was no exception with my mom, and so, I came to understand she was fine watching the babies, and rather, was looking for some adult interaction instead of hours of Baby Shark, Rio, cartoons and poopy diapers … lol.
Either way, I was happy to have time with my nephews and my mom, so we made the most of it together.
Maclin and I played with Ninjas, Batman and the Batcopter, while Marshall ate pancakes and drank apple water.
Maclin, like his Uncle, also loves music and even believes that when he watches this video (Click Here), it’s me singing and dancing.
I love that he sees me like that, because in his expectations, I am that guy.
So, I turned on what my mom called her ‘secret weapon’ when I was a kid, and acted like a built in babysitter: Thriller, by Michael Jackson.
She told me I’d sit, stand and/or dance for hours, mesmerized by Michael on the original long-form video with all the zombies dancing.
In fact, we put it on right before we were going to go outside to play because she knows when a kid’s attention is on something, you can put clothes on them and get them ready, etc, without as much fuss.
With the video rolling, Maclin did exactly what she said I did, because she was right there with both of us and pointed at him, he was glued to the screen.
Then, as she was getting Marshall ready, she called for Maclin and I to go out, and we didn’t answer, because we were both watching the video, lol … that’s my boy 🙂
After we peeled away from the music, we got the boys outside and Maclin rode his bike, while I pushed Marshall in the stroller and walked with my mom around the block.
Then played on the little playground in their backyard for a couple minutes, and after an hour or so of being outside, we went back in and put on the Batman movie.
Within minutes Maclin was out, and Marshall was getting fussy, like he was gonna eat and pass out too.
My mom told me to go home, she was fine with sleeping babies till Holly or Phil got home.
So, I did.
And then I got home and got that call …
The point here is, Maclin woke up expecting me to be there, ready to play and on to the next adventure.
In his brain, that’s what was supposed to happen, and when it didn’t, he was hit with a bunch of unfriendly emotions.
It got me thinking about many who are seeking to change their mind, body, or diet and what they believe should happen, based off of their expectations, not necessarily reality.
They believe it should just happen, usually with a lot less work … and have made up a story in their head based off that expectation …
When it doesn’t go that way they get upset, discouraged and give up, almost justifying a sub-conscious belief that they’re not good enough, that they themselves weren’t born into the right family, or that they are different and thus believe their success, or lack thereof, is up to fate, not the choices they’ve made thus far.
The truth is, Maclin will learn how to tailor his expectations over time as he grows into a young boy and when he can reason, he’ll know that I’m not leaving for good, I’ll always be there for him in some way, and he’ll have a choice in how he reacts.
He’s 3, so of course he was upset, he didn’t know better.
It’s the same for my BADASS tribe here and their expectations, because the truth is, if you want something, you have to be willing to go above and beyond for it, make it a priority and don’t give up.
Just because you expect it, doesn’t mean it get’s done.
If you’re ready to meet (and exceed) your expectations, reply and let Uncle John be at your service 😉
Be Well – John
Changing the way Life is done.
Mindset. Fitness. Nutrition.
P.S. Here are 4 more ways you can become happier and healthier:
1. Podcasts
Some of the greatest insights and healing for me, have come from listening to podcasts in the last few years. This long-form type of communication, I’ve found, has been extremely important for understanding context, while learning how to make sustainable change.
That’s why I have started to find ways to get our story on some podcasts, and give you an opportunity to really go deep with us, and see what we’re all about. That way, you can decide if this tribe fits your personality. Click the link below to go to our podcast page, where you can find all our episodes!
2. Rise
Rise is the story of ‘never feeling powerful … to … never feeling powerless’. It’s about John Bair’s life, why he does what he does and how his suffering created happiness.
This handwritten book takes you through an intimate, yet, self-revealing journey, which allows you to implant yourself into the story, as it relates to your own, and reveal the steps you’ll need to take, in order to make change a successful reality.
Available in DIGITAL, AUDIO, BOOK
Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy
3. Join our BADASS Community on Facebook
We want to work with and be around as many BADASS people as possible. Folks who might forget how BADASS they are and just need the space to remember.
So, we started a FREE group on Facebook called BADASS, which is our own private community where we go deeper into what we do at Bair Knuckle Strength.
The truth is, it makes the world a happier, safer, more enjoyable place when you love your BADASS self.
If you’re ready to see what we do, just CLICK HERE!
4. Fitness Scorecard
Have you gone through the Fitness Scorecard yet?
Confused where to start, or what to do next with your health and fitness journey?
Well, step 1 is to understand where you currently score across the 8 Fitness Indicators.
Start your journey toward your personal fitness breakthrough by completing your Fitness Scorecard Today: CLICK HERE