Life's priorities to an 8 year old

So much time working, reading blogs, trying to keep up to date and get things done...

I had the opportunity this week to have a "date" with my daughter and listen to what's going on in her life. I learned things I never knew before, like:

The two main characters in High School musical may actually be dating.

While other girls pretend to be Mia Hamm, she prefers to be Abby Wambach 'cause she saw how good she played when we saw her play against the Canadian's Womens Soccer team

• Kitty Webkinz are really hard to find (also, if you don't feed your Webkinz, they will get very sick)
• Although there are currently no Broadway Musical stars who are also professional soccer players, she'd like to be the first

Once she grows her hair so that it's pass 10 inches, she's going to donate it to locks-of-love. (you get a free hair cut AND they donate your hair)

Ok, this is boring stuff for all of our readers. But here's the point:

I'll try to remember this night forever because she'll never be eight again.

It's easy to get caught up in what doesn't matter. I've been on a lot of jobs that were going to "redefine the standard" or "change the game". At the end of my life, heck after a couple of years, all these projects will be forgotten. My daughter, however, will still be here, hopefully enjoying life as much as she does today.

Find someone who matters and take time to find out what's interesting to them.

- Paul Herring

Comments

[Lewis Green]

Cam,

This is anything but boring: It is one of life's greatest lessons. Thank you for sharing.

[Paul Herring]

Thanks Lewis, but it's Paul this time. Just trying to follow in Cam's footsteps.

[Lewis Green]

Paul,

That will teach me to pay better attention to bylines. Great post, Paul!

[Roger von Oech]

Delightful post! Just think, next year you'll be able to do the same thing with a nine year old.

[Lisa Braithwaite]

I love this post, Paul. Your daughter sounds lovely. I have a teenage niece who has been donating her hair to Locks of Love for several years now. She grows it out and cuts it off, grows it out and cuts it off, over and over. Aren't kids great?

[Drew McLellan]

Paul,

The two stars of High School Musical ARE dating. Got it from my 14 year old.

Dates with our kids are life blood for them and for us. You're a wise man to treasure those moments and be very intentional about making them happen.

And you're right...it is what matters.

Drew