The popular idiomatic expression that an apple doesn't fall far from the tree is a typical example of how there's most likely going to be some similarities between a child and their parents. Basically, in most cases, a child tends to adopt one or two characters or traits from their parents, either naturally or due to the consistency of their parents exhibiting such traits in the presence of the kids. I have some things that I adopted from my parents, and today I'll love to tell you all about them.
To start with, I'll love to talk about a character I adopted naturally from my mom, and the fact that we both do this is still funny and somewhat strange because, in the actual sense, I didn't even grow up with her, and yet, despite staying miles apart from each other, my grandmother, whom I grew up with, can't help but make the remark that I usually sleep in the same manner as my mom does. She even said that regardless of how she tried to reposition me while I'm sleeping, before she checked again, I would have changed back to the initial position again.
It's always strange when she tells me that I exhibit that, and I'm like, how did I even know the way my mom sleeps to the point of adopting it, most especially when I left at a very tender age? In the end, I think that kind of just comes naturally. Growing up, I've come to see different videos of parents and kids sleeping in the same pattern, reacting to situations in the same way, and the like, and you kind of look at such situations and be like, wow, there's no need for a DNA test to know this child is 100 percent yours. Well, that's just a preamble, so let's get to the real deal.
So talking about a trait I adopted from my father, I'll say it's the act of being closely observant and taking notes of things. My dad is the type of person who is usually very kin to details, like you might think he's watching you and focusing on what you are doing, but in real sense he's watching your every move and taking note of everything, to the point where he can easily predict your next move or come through at the nick of time to save the day.
For instance, there was a time when some group of thieves came to our neighborhood, but rather than just jump into their operation, I think they first came to monitor the surroundings and know what everyone in our neighborhood is made of. Along the line, each time they came around, my dad just did as though he didn't notice the peering eyes of the thieves monitoring different people.
So during one of the landlord meetings, my dad told the others about what he noticed and the need to employ some vigilantes who would just hide around to save the day anytime these thieves decided to strike. Although most of them don't buy into my dad's advice, they agreed. Fast forward 3 days later, and the thieves came to our neighborhood, breaking into houses. Immediately, one of those whose houses had been broken into called my dad over the phone. They quickly called the vigilantes to curb all possible routes the thieves could follow, and before you knew it, they were all apprehended.
Fast forward to the following morning, and the thieves were exactly the same set of strange young men that usually walk around our neighborhood. Since then, most of the landlords have respected my dad for these traits, and just like him, I kind of got the same traits. I've come to notice how observant I can be about people or happenings around me. I may tend not to speak, act as though I didn't see you, or even as though I'm sleeping, but in the actual sense, I'm just always attentive to details when observing things.
But aside from seeming like I'm suspecting someone, it's a good trait that has helped me know what's happening to people around me and be able to come through for them and help out. In their difficult times or when they don't know where they dropped something, I can easily say that's where you left it, and they will be like, How did you know? You weren't even looking at me earlier.
On the other hand, when it comes to a trait I adopted from my mom, I'll say it's her act of goal-setting and results-oriented lifestyle. My mom is the kind of person who, once she sets her mind on something, will never relent until she gets it, regardless of what might stand as a barrier between her and what she has set her mind upon to achieve.
This trait helps her and our family achieve way beyond what we would have had had we let happenings around us detect what we can do and can't do, and growing up, I've come to see the same trait exhibit itself in me and how I handle goals or anything I set my heart upon. It has helped me achieve a lot, giving me the strength to not let challenges weigh me down from my goals.
I'll say both traits are appreciated, and I kind of see their positive impact in my life. In fact, I kind of wondered what I'd be like if I didn't have those traits, so I'm grateful to them for living such an example life that I can learn from and also adopt in shaping my life in the best possible way, although it has its downside, especially the results-oriented traits I got from my mom.
It's always hard to bear the loss of any goal I set my mind upon, and not achieving either of them is usually depressing and sometimes weighs me down, as it's hard to move on knowing that I didn't achieve something I'd set my mind upon. But aside from that, it's a wonderful trait to possess, and I would gladly love for my kids to have the same traits.
Because I know having both would do a great deal in their lives, helping them be able to decipher who's real and who's just there to trick them, helping them stay observant, and helping them achieve things they've set their hearts upon, which in the end would make their future pleasing and fulfilling.
That's about it for now. I hope you had a good read. Do have a wonderful day and stay blessed.
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