Nurturing a Leader

Hi there, it has been ages since I updated my blog. Been doing some soul searching and having a few weeks of break from all the hustle and bustle. Anyway, in this post I will talk about the importance of creating a leader right from the very age of 5.


Troy Dunn, the author of Young Bucks, made me realize that a child's mind is rich and vast, unbounded by imaginative restrictions. What adults fail to realize and often repeat is that they undermine their child's capability. How often do we entrust our 5 year old with washing their own dishes? Are we providing too much comfort that they grow accustomed to it and in later stages depend on these "luxuries" that we provide?


Parents must act as pillars of strength and inspiration that children will look up to and imitate. Gradually entrust your child with responsibilities instead of providing for them. They will come to thank you later. As adults we want our children to go further in life than what we have achieved in ours. We want to see them shine; our grandsons and granddaughters to thrive. All these cannot happen overnight but through patient and gradual training throughout their entire life. Parents will act as supporting frames because they have walked through the stages of childhood and adolescence. They are aware of how merciless the world can be if one is not prepared to face it.

1. Firstly, give your child the "gift of eagerness". Take steps necessary to promote this quality in your child. Do this by asking questions and have conversations that build up this "gift". When a child wants something so badly, he or she will begin to ask you for it. 
2. And at this crucial moment don't jump the gun and give it to them, but instead, observe and wait for the right moment to suggest ways that they could earn it. To accomplish this never ever provide them with allowances. This will only make them be more dependent on you, and when they can wait no longer, they tend to ask for "bonus allowances" that allows them to achieve their goals faster. 
3. Then, offer suggestions as to what kind of activities that can allow them to generate their own income. This must be done with accordance to which skill set they are inclined to. Never ask your child to set forth on something that he or she does not feel like doing. And never suppress a skill or hobby that he or she is good at no matter how ridiculous it may seem to you. In their eyes, its something worth doing. And by supporting them, they will go further in life because happiness dictates achievements. 
4. Have regular checkups on your child and always discuss the ups and downs of their pursuits. They will be subjected to pitfalls but it is all in the learning process of become a leader. 

A leader could be just living under your roof, with proper guidance and support will turn out to be your own greatest achievement yet ~ J. Hunstman. 

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How do you define Education?

Going through about a quarter of your life, enduring the wrath of examinations that seem endless, regurgitating knowledge facts that make you sound almost robotic; all for the sake of securing a job in the current competitive market. That is what the current generation of young adults and future children will face. 


What has become of the true meaning of education? Pause all your pursuits of facts and think for a moment, is this the real meaning of being educated?


Henry Ford during WW1, a Chicago Newspaper published several editorials that among other statements, called Henry an "ignorant pacifist". A law suit was brought upon the paper for libeling him. Attorneys were trying hard to prove that while Henry possessed a fair amount of specialized knowledge he was in fact an ignorant man. Henry was bombarded with questions pertaining to history and current happenings and finally when he was particularly tired of being subjected to offensive interrogation, he finally said:

"If I should really want to answer the foolish question you have just asked, or any other of the other questions you have been asking me, let me remind you that I have a row of electric push buttons on my desk, and by pushing the right button, I can summon to my aid men who can answer any question I desire to ask concerning the business to which I am devoting most of my efforts. Now, will you kindly tell me, why should I clutter up my mind with general knowledge for the purpose of being able to answer questions, when I have men around me who can supply any knowledge I require?"

Henry Ford knew the true meaning of being educated. He organized and channeled his knowledge in the direction most beneficial to himself; never for the sake of pleasing others, never for the sake of passing examinations, and most of all not to prove that he was better at memorizing factual data. 

Find your true calling and be devoted to a life long learning. 

Don't let ego and challenges cloud your way. 

When circumstances prevent you from achieving the life you want, be prepared to make drastic choices that will turn your life around. 

Keep your goals in mind and they will magnetize themselves around you. 

~J.Huntsman

PS: The blog interface will be updated from time to time. Hope you guys like the new UI.

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Seeing is Not Believing

People used to say they wouldn't believe something was real until they see it for themselves. But what happens if the difference is so minute and scarce that you have to play a spot the difference game? 

Well unless you are equipped with the proper knowledge of what genuine is, you wouldn't know you are being duped. 

can you tell the 6 differences in the picture above?

Being genuine has far more benefits than an imitation. This applies to all aspects in life; not just physical manifestations. 

Don't all of us fall for the tendency of having someone to be there beneficially? We know that each individual have strengths to which we could exploit with less effort. We know what they are capable of and that is why we make sure they stay attached very closely. Its near impossible to find someone genuinely interested in you these days when the world has turned into a cat eat mouse scenario. 

"We are interested in others when they are interested in us"  ~ Publilius Syrus

Giving some thought on what old Syrus has to say. Think of the small conversations that you have with acquaintances. Everyone will put themselves first before all others because its human nature. We were born to adapt and therefore not knowingly commit a sin of excess when making decisions. 

Nobody rejects a spare but always questions the scant ~ J. Hunstman 

Strive to lead a life of sincerity and abundance will come so discretely you will not notice it. Be a genuine person to yourself, family, friends and ultimately your Creator. Remember these "SELF LEARNING METHODS", and perhaps you will find more sincere people surrounding your world. 

1. Smile.
2. Listen.
3. Make others feel important in a genuine way. 

I bid you a Happy New Year and may 2012 steer itself into sincere happiness that come in abundance for all you readers out there!

PS: sorry I have not been updating my post, pretty preoccupied with unavoidable matters. Till the next time..

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The Giant takes Baby Steps

A story that will open your minds, not only as fathers but Individuals. 

A simple man sharing his life changing experience. 

Father Forgets
W. Livingston Larned


Listen Son,: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.


There are things I was thinking, son: I have been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor. 


At breakfast I found fault too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, "Goodbye Daddy!" and I frowned, and said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!"


Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied on you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings are expensive - and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!


Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. "What is it you want?" I snapped.


You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had sent blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.


Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What was this habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding- this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.


And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed! 


It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy-a little boy!"


I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.


Instead on condemning, lets open our hearts to understanding. 

Battles are started because of the words of man, but Battles are not won by the edge of swords, instead Triumph will come when the heart starts to empathize. ~J.Hunstman

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A Poet's Rant

picture credits to Andrea Andrade

My dear readers, I leave you with lines to ponder upon. 

May you find truth in what the poet seeks to tell, and ask of Life what you seek, 

for it is a faithful companion. 

I personally believe that if you're not happy with the story of your life, 

then you have not reached the end of it. ~J.Hunstman

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