Well, ‘tis the season and the annoying little arsehole is back in my house…
The Elf On The Shelf.
… As if there wasn’t enough shit to do at this time of year, some sick tormented bastard decided to invent this dumb-fuckery.
Every year it’s the same routine…
Put Barney to bed.
Unwind.
Go to bed.
Wake up 60 minutes later…
“FUCK… gotta do The Elf!”
At which point me, or Em, frantically rush back downstairs while googling:
“EASY elf on the shelf ideas…”
Utter chaos that we both get the pleasure of cleaning up the next day.
And let me be clear…
… If this was something I was doing for a client, a member, or even my wife… I would have put a bullet in the back of its head – years ago.
… BUT as a man, and as it’s “for Barney,” I just carry on.
No surprise really, given that you and I are genetically programmed to move mountains for our offspring.
Probably why if you’re like me, and if you have kids you want them to have MORE than you did.
Whether that’s more money, more opportunities, or more time.
Begging the question, as the year draws to a close:
What are YOU going to do next year to deliver more for your kids?
In truth, most are doing ‘just enough’…
Plodding along, year after year and feeling guilty about missing opportunities as their kids grow up all too fast.
I’ll be honest… as I reflect on the last 12 months – I have failed here more than most.
Case in point 6 weeks back where I’d promised Barney that I’d be in his class for “Family Lunch.”
… I wasn’t.
… I forgot.
… I was too busy chasing my tail.
Worse part being I had to face the humiliating hell that I didn’t even remember until Barney called me out when I put him to bed.
“Dad – it was family lunch today, and I was sat on my own…”
Fuck.
… Gut punch.
Anyway – no point in dwelling on the past, that can’t be changed and the point is this.
The new year is knocking.
And now is the time to draw a line in the sand…
The time to stand and deliver for them
The time to provide and protect them.
After all, 2023 is yours for the taking.
So let’s go punch the last few days of 2022 square in the face…
… Because how you start today will determine how you finish tomorrow.
Make More. Provide More. Be More.
Charlie Hutton
