What footprints are you leaving behind?
“Walk a little slower daddy,” said a child so small.
“I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast, some times they’re hard to see;
So, walk a little slower, daddy, for you are leading me.
Someday when I’m all grown up, you’re what I want to be;
then I will have a little child, who’ll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;
so, walk a little slower daddy, for I must follow you.”
I received two little paintstamped footprints and the words above (am unsure of title and of the source… if anyone knows please post a response so we can acknowledge) as a Fathers Day gift from my son Dylan who attends day care one day a week. I’ll admit it … the emotion and symbolism, choked me up somewhat.
The symbolism within these words can be applied to nearly all aspects of our lives. For now, I’d ask that you specifically concentrate on the values, experiences and lessons you have learned that help shape your own financial footsteps and footprints.
It really started me thinking …
- What footprints am I leaving?
- Are my footsteps too fast or hard to see or understand?
It’s a bit like the signs you read when you go into a national park … come in, enjoy, take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints behind.
Some earlier posts explored “What does money mean to you?” and “Talk to your kids about the value of money“.
Please revisit these posts and consider them with fresh eyes and contemplate the footprints you are leaving behind.
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Dan Smith is a self employed Financial Planner based in Rockhampton. He has clients in various locations throughout Australia but predominately in Central Queensland and specifically the geographic area encompassed by the Rockhampton Regional Council.