“Am I going to be as big as you are?”

“Am I going to be as strong as you are?”

The questions of the pure admiration from the little ones can make one cringe inwardly for sure. Because we adults never really see ourselves as big or strong or not even good. No matter how hard we try. But in the eyes of a child, a parent, a mentor, or an elder is always going to be someone to look up to. Someone to listen to, someone whose advice is precious.

But beware of putting on a facade, because they will know it, and all the respect and all the admiration lost, you stand there naked in your lies. You are not only depriving yourself of the respect and love you are lying for, but you steal their trust in their own future too.