NickVenturella.com 11-13-23 - Do the right thing

So often as a parent, we feel like we’re wasting breath as we lecture to our kids about the ways of the world so they can learn to navigate it more smoothly…until we realize it hasn’t been a waste of breath.

Know that your mileage may vary on this, however, positive moments where it’s clear your kid listened to you are bound to occur — it may not be when we want it to happen but eventually it happens on some scale.

I know it’s not always the case, but if more times than not when your kid is in a situation where they can make the right decision or a pretty darn good one without you around then you’re doing something right in guiding them.

That was my experience with my oldest son recently, as he is at an age where some of his schoolmates are starting to experiment with bad decisions – ones they don’t realize will have downstream impacts and consequences on them later in life. My son, without his parents around, made the right decision to protect himself now, and in the future, which to me showcased that he has integrity, and a sense of self-worth, and as a result, he is becoming a leader vs. an easily influenced follower.

That makes me extremely honored to be his dad.

This also makes me reflect on myself to take stock in whether or not I’m making those right decisions for me and my family when I find myself in certain situations that call into question my values and moral code.

In that reflection I ask myself, if my son was my age and in a similar situation, what parental advice would I give him; how would I want my son to react to the situation? Sometimes it’s easier to see the right decision when you’re looking at it from an outside perspective.

--------------------------------------------------UpdatesCheck out some of my upcycled artistic guitars are hanging on display for the month of November at Imaginarytea.shop in Waunakee, WI. Be sure to stop by and check out the exhibit. All guitars on display are available for sale. ----------Songwriters Round Town​(a songwriters in the round series)Sat. Dec. 9, 2023 at Imaginary Tea Waunakee, WI7-9pmThis is an all-ages creative experience where curated songwriters share their stories behind the songs they've written and invite the audience to participate in the conversation in between the music.Be sure to come and join.----------I've recently updated The GrowLoop Journal. It's The GrowLoop Journal 2.0, I suppose.The GrowLoop Journal is a personal documentation system to help combat disengagement, distraction, and depression to feel better and be more productive in your life and career. It's based on proven science about the mental and physical health benefits of journaling.----------Dan Lezama and I (we make up the music duo group, Gemini's Rival) have been busy re-recording new versions of our back catalog of songs from the mid/late '90's & early 2000's.Here are a few songs (of several songs to be released) that are now out on all major streaming platforms.Listen to the latest released songs on this playlist now!Up next:  "Over the Counter Friends," will release on Thanksgiving Day----------

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Stay positive. Stay healthy. Be kind.Sincerely,Nick VenturellaStrategic/Creative ProfessionalNickVenturella.com