Mama On: Living Your Life (When You Think No One Is Watching)

"Autograph your life with excellence. You never know who will read your signature."

The direct and immediate consequence and an easily drawn conclusion for this bit of Mamaknology, oddly, can take years for even the brightest and most clever among us to understand and assimilate. But it simply comes down to this: do you really want to have to apologize for who and what you allow yourself to become? Could you explain it to your mother -- would you want to have to? And here's the acid test -- does your action shame you in your own eyes?

If you answered, "yes," it's time to check your signature.

Former NBA star Charles Barkley was quoted as saying that he was not a role model. He got a lot of press for that and yet, he wanted you to buy his shoes, workout gear, game tickets, and ... well you know how the marketing goes. Would anybody have bought anything, had he not been someone's role model?

As a practicing Mamaknologist, remember that though you may not be getting Barkley bucks (...don't say it...) somebody IS watching you. Somebody IS taking their cues and learning from you. So, even if not for yourself, your best effort in all you say and do must be the mark you strive for -- because you don't know who is watching and what the consequences of your teachings might be. And, just because God has a sense of humor, you also never know when you might find yourself on the receiving end of your own actions.

When you leave your signature on this life, let it be one that you can be proud of.