This Halloween, I realized that my nephew is my hero! As I recall watching this 9-year-old transform into a real-life ninja, he's taught me some valuable life lessons. 

He was insistent on transforming into his favorite character from the Nintendo video game Ninjala. (Ninjala is a game where ninja kids fight each other with their bubble gum-themed weapons. The scenes are all colorful and fun, and my colorful nephew loves it! )

He planned his transformation into one of the game's characters for weeks! And, as I watched him transform into a ninja with my own two eyes, my admiration grew. And, recently, the lessons below were reinforced.

Lesson 1: 

If you want to be a ninja, be a ninja today!

My nephew did NOT wait until Halloween to transform into who he wanted to be. This transformation took place earlier this year. And while to most people, it was just an ordinary day, for him, it was his day to be who he wanted to be.

If he could, he would wear his Ninjala costume on any day! Meanwhile, most of us need social permission to be so brave -- usually only on Halloween weekend. 

So, he reinforced this lesson for me: Every day is an opportunity for you to be the person you want to be. And, if you want to be a ninja, be a ninja today!

Lesson 2: 

Dare to be different. Dare to wear blue hair! 

This little guy wanted to be a blue-haired ninja even when everyone else was just -- normal. So, people noticed him. And, all we had to do was ask, "Have you seen the kid with the blue hair?" and we would find him in a sea of people at the go-kart tracks.

He was different. And, he was comfortable with it -- even when all the other not-so-ninja folks wearing regular clothes stared as he walked by. Eventually, everyone accepted it, and normalcy expanded to include blue hair. And he thrived.

In this moment, he taught me that it's ok if you're different from others. And it's ok if you're someone other than who they expect you to be. 

You may stick out like a sore thumb. But, eventually, people will move on - while you are happy being who you are meant to be.

Lesson 3:

Rally the troops for help, while staying true to the vision!

My nephew summoned my sister, his mother, to help him create his costume. My sister, being the creative that she is, took on the challenge. She helped him paint yellow shoes, painted a white tee to create the illusion of the character's jacket, purchased LED light-up glasses, loaned him her purple headphones, and bought a crazy blue wig to complete the look. 

She committed to helping him get it done. He was the visionary, committed to the vision. And, he knew precisely how his costume was supposed to look. He would frequently call up the picture and tell her when the design was steering off track from the vision. 

This exchange resulted in a little melt-down when the blue wig wasn't curling up the way he expected. And, he would not compromise on the hair. 

We were running out of time, and the other kids would be at the go-kart place to meet us soon. And, at the last minute, we came up with an idea to ditch the wig, twist his hair in two-strand twists and paint it blue. 

Usually, Nephew hates getting his hair done, but he sat still as my sister sped down the road, and I hovered over him in the back seat, hurriedly styling his ninja hair. 

When we arrived at the meeting place, my sister and I split, and she started setting up for the party. Then, Nephew and I headed to Wal-Mart for blue hair spray. (Thank God for Wal-Mart in times like these - they have everything!) 

He was shirtless in the parking lot, as I sprayed his hair blue. And, the final touches of his costume were coming together. His vision came to life.

He became the ninja he wanted to be. 

Final Note

I aspire to be like my 9-year-old your hero, and I think you should too. Here's what you can do: 

• Don't be afraid to be yourself
• Start being bold today
• Ask for help

P.S. What lesson has a child taught you recently?

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