Walk The Way Before You Tell Someone To Walk Through

 You need to walk through that very thing you suggest to everyone.

I would like to start with a patch of my own life. I have always been the kind of person who loves to influence people in a positive way. I love to help people out when they're having a tough moment or going through a tough phase. Sometimes my intention is to educate them on something, but that would always be so hard because when you suggest something to someone, they will always have this question in their mind: "Why should I?" 

And that's a very valid question. Why should someone listen to you? 

Growing up in a strict household made me have my limitations but also a different kind of tolerance as well. I tried my best to not resonate with the bitterness towards me and pass it on to my younger sibling. There were moments where I wanted her to change, but that never appeared to me in a gentle way. And I was in a constant state of fighting with myself over whether I could control my tone and patience or not. But after a certain period of time, I figured that I had to walk some steps in order to show the bigger picture. Once I started doing the things myself, she would have a clear idea about what was expected and how she should be doing certain things. For example, I would want her to do the dishes, but I couldn't figure out a way to tell her about it with a hint of kindness, and because I didn't want to pass on the bitterness I had cover up every negative shortcoming. At some point, I started doing the dishes myself and did it till I saw the results in her. 

People don't love to listen, but they do love to follow footsteps. In cases where you want someone to change, at some point you'll understand that telling them is different than influencing them. And at some point you'll figure out that walking on your said road works way more than talking about the road. Do the thing yourself before you want to see it in someone else. When you make a difference, sooner or later you'll see the reflection of your own efforts in other people, and it will feel like your personal win.