Living My Life Out Loud

Many years ago when my boys were young, I was at the Rec Department waiting for the kids' class to finish, when the conversation turned to movies. I commented that my movie viewing was changing since the kids were starting to stay up later. When they were very young we'd watch family movies before bed and then could watch more action-type movies when they were asleep. Since they were staying up later the older they got, the more grownup movies were eventually squeezed out of the lineup. (Note. The adult movies weren't "adult" movies but were PG or R-rated, inappropriate for young kids)

One man who had been standing there quietly, piped in "Maybe if the kids can't watch it with you, it isn't a great influence for you, either."

I argued with him about it for a bit, but for years now I've thought about it. I've learned to use things like that for my moral compass. If my kids can't know something, maybe I shouldn't be doing it. If I wouldn't want my neighbors hearing it, maybe I shouldn't be saying it.

Try living your life like an open book. Make note of what you are watching, listen to what you are saying. If there are things going on that you wouldn't want broadcast on YouTube, chances are they are things that may be holding you back from being all that you can be.

I call it Living Your Life Out Loud. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. By using these simple markers as guidelines, I've come a long way towards living a truly honest life – and it feels good.