I walked into an exam room at my office a few days ago to see a 9-month-old patient, and as soon as I opened the door and stepped in, her 7-year-old sister screamed “Michelle Obama” as she pointed at me. Her mom and I simultaneously burst into laughter, and of course the young girl had a bewildered look on her face, like What is so funny?
Her mom said, “That’s not Michelle Obama—that’s Dr O! Michelle Obama is not even a doctor.”
And I said, “And if she were a doctor and seeing you today, there’d probably be a hundred cameramen here.” Then she eventually started to laugh, and the three of us had more belly-shaking laughter.
I guess to a 7-year-old, a black woman who is in a dress and is somewhat tall and, I’d like to say, also carries herself well (said with a wink and with humility, of course) is Michelle Obama. I don’t think we resemble each other that much physically per se—she’s a lot taller than I am, for sure—but we are both black women…and sophisticated, and fit, and beautiful, and brilliant and both professionals. :-)
And in that little girl’s eyes, the first image in her brain as I walked in was that of Michelle Obama.
So yes, after all that excitement, I did see her very cute 9-month-old sister for the visit she came for, and we all left that experience with happy hearts.
I pondered that exchange on and off through the day and had several lightbulb and aha moments, with lots of lessons learned.
Remember my post last week about zooming in? I zoomed in totally to that situation, and my heart was full of so many takeaways from that little girl just uttering those two words.
Kids do say the darndest things, but there is so much to learn from those darndest things. Pay attention to what they say.
A little girl thought I was the former First Lady of the United States! What an honor. What a privilege. What a statement to be proud of. She thought I was Michelle Obama! Who else could I ask to be like? An accomplished, super-brilliant, super-confident, self-assured, super-smart woman—Michelle Obama is everything a little girl should dream of being, everything even a 47-year-old like me should dream of being. I was totally honored that an innocent little girl saw Michelle in me as I walked into the child’s world, into her mind space.
I was proud that she even knew who Michelle Obama was. I’m glad she’s been exposed to a great woman who is a role model for so many. Kudos to her mom for making sure she was aware of our amazing former First Lady.
I had on an above-the-knee gray dress and black pumps. My hair was half pulled back. I had assured, confident steps and a smile on my face as I walked in. She noticed. She saw a confident woman.
Appearances do matter. A confident aura does matter. Being fit does matter. Being graceful does matter.
I don’t think I would have reminded this girl of Michelle Obama if my boobs were hanging out, or I had on a provocative dress, or wasn’t self-assured as I walked in.
Kids have innocent minds, and they analyze situations in a simple and childlike manner. Their minds get influenced by adults, other kids, and their environments. That’s why we must be careful how we raise our kids, what we allow them see and hear, and what we expose them to.
Kids need more role models all around them.
We must all collectively be these role models.
Call for action—live your life every day as if all the kids around the world are watching you.
What better way to keep ourselves in check, and what better way to influence our children positively?
They are watching us! Watching our every move.
My life goal is to be a positive influence in this world—to all people, but especially to our children. I will always speak the truth to, and about, our children, and I will always carry myself in the best way I can in order to be a good role model. I want every kid to see me living out my life purpose so they can strive to live out theirs.
I will never stop being a strong voice and advocate for our children. My life work will always focus on a better world and future for our kids.
Of course, we can’t please everyone. Some people will not like you or feel you’re a good role model, but that’s OK—you don’t need to be liked by everyone or please everyone.
This must never stop you from focusing on your goals, hopes, dreams, and life purpose. Live your life every day as if an innocent child from each corner of the globe is watching you.
Are you living out your life purposefully?
Working on your goals to change the world?
How do you carry yourself every day? With Grace, humility, and confidence?
Do you flash a smile as you go about your day?
Are you aware first impressions last?
Do you know all our kids are watching?
Finally, and most importantly, who would you like an innocent kid to think you are? This is the most important and most vital takeaway thought and question from this blog post.
Ponder that carefully.
Once you determine who that person is, then ask yourself, Am I living out my life every day to be even close to that person’s character?
Food for thought!