���Be All You Can Be���

-U.S. Army recruiting slogan (1980-2001)

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re either a child of mine or you’re someone old enough to remember the above slogan. ��It was the recruiting slogan used by the U.S. Army from 1980 to 2001.

I was never in the Army, but I have watched a lot of TV over the years. ��So maybe that old commercial��was��the inspiration behind the question I always ask my kids when they do or say something that gets them into some kind of trouble.

���Is That The Person You Want To Be?���

– Derek Rempfer parenting��slogan (1994-The Day I Die)

I’m always encouraging my kids��to look at every decision they make through the eyes of the person they want to be. ��And I try to do the same myself.

What kind of person do I want to be?

What kind of father, husband, son, and��brother?

What kind of Christian, friend, and co-worker?

What do I want to accomplish?

How to I want the world to view me?

What do I want people to say about me when I leave the room? ��What about when I leave this life?

I think the answer to all these questions is the same…and it’s rather obvious:

Charles Ingalls

I want to be this guy!

The other night my daughter Chloe turned the tables on me. ��I was being a little cranky when I saw her making herself a late dinner shortly after I had cleaned the kitchen and put all the leftovers away. ��She reacted to my grumpiness with a cheerful,

“DAD, THAT’S NOT WHO YOU ARE!”

I laughed and asked her, “No? ��Well, who am I then?”

And she said, “You’re a happy person who likes making other people happy.”

Tell you what…that daughter of mine��is pretty wise. ��I don’t know if that’s exactly who I am right now, but it’s definitely who I want to be.

I hope��that the Derek Rempfer I want to be is coming through in��these blog entries. ��All I ever want to be is “better.” ��Better this year than last. ��Better this day than last. ��Better this moment than last.

I am a work in progress, but I’m doing my best. ��And like that great American Army general said…

���If a man does his best, what else is there?���

-Gen. George S. Patton

General George S. Patton

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