Being the eldest child means that my younger siblings are always watching my behavior. There are advantages to being the oldest, but sometimes it can be a real challenge.
Advantages to being the oldest include special privileges such as: going out of town with friends, or, staying up late to watch a movie on television, or, making more expensive purchases (i.e. iPod, clothing, car, etc.) because I am trusted to make responsible purchases with my money. Disadvantages include... Close to everything else. The moment I say or do something out of place, my younger siblings notice it.
Hello Reader,
A topic which has been perplexing my thoughts lately, has been the subject of responsibility and leading by example. Instantaneously when I think about this topic, I consider how it relates to my family. As of recently, I have had to make an assortment of future defining decisions regarding college. It has not been easy, but I can see clearly now ("the rain has gone...") that I am headed in the right direction.
Growing up, dad would always say, "Jacob, keep in mind that your siblings are watching everything you do." I guess I had heard the phrase so many times that it got a little old for a while... Thinking about it now, I realize the magnitude of what my dad was talking about!
Side note: It would be the worst thing ever if I was a rebellious punk. I'm just saying. Okay... Granted, when I was younger, I was known to test the limitations of my parents instructions:
(Age 8)
"Jacob, keep your hand away from the iron, you could burn yourself" *Leaves room* ~ Mom
*Jacob touches iron and burns himself*
(Age 10)
"Jacob, make sure to put the cap on the blender before you turn it on." ~ Dad
*Disregards. Causes (colossal) mess* ~ Jacob
(Age 17)
"Jacob, stop at the light ahead..." ~ Mom
*Turns down radio* "Huh?" ~ Jacob
*Screams in terror* ~ Mom
Haha, okay... Maybe I'm kidding about the last one (I know, I know, most of you are pretty bummed to hear that never happened. Sorry for deceiving you). It's a relief I was no more rebellious than that. :)
Back to seriousness. When I think about it, my siblings have always been watching what I do. Sure I was joking a little in the beginning, but when I think about it, they do watch my EVERY move. From tying my shoes to making major decisions about college. "What is big brother doing? Am I allowed to do the same?"
Of course, a majority of the time my siblings are able to watch as I make a decision, and discern for themselves if they want to follow down the same road once they see the final outcome of my choice. Obviously, the best way to lead by example, is to keep oneself in check. This applies when I am not around my siblings as well.
I do not want my siblings to look up to me just because I am their older brother, I want them to look up to me because I live my life in a respectable manner. There is a time to be goofy and a time to be serious. As I enter into the coming years of college, I will need to become more serious as I pursue my desired career goals. For me, the prospect of beginning college is a major step into adulthood (along with acquiring a personal cellular phone... XD). Hahaha, I am not saying that once I start college I shall need to become unnaturally purpose driven and exceedingly serious about my profession. What I am saying, is that as I continue to make important, life changing decisions, I will also need to carry myself in a manner that my younger siblings will watch, a feel confident about following.
I want my siblings (and family in general!) to be proud of me. :)
This concludes the weekly rambling post of sir Jacob Hartges.
Thank you for reading,
~Jacob P. Hartges
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