Who's your daddy!?

Sometimes you realise that your path is right there in front of you. Your whole life previously has led you to this point - there's a choice. And there's always a choice. It may poke you right in the heart, or it may simply be a nudge and twinge. There's a feeling that you already know the answer to, though you are uncomfortable at the idea of becoming the anti-stereotype outcast that your mind insists is real. You think of how traverse; to reverse all of your teen aspirations and shortcomings without losing your manhood. "It's not possible", you figure. But it's worth it, for sure.

It's time. You - yes you, Dad, need to be there. You are the one to take the modern family into the next millenium. And you won't be able to do it with spears, guns, muscles or braggadocio.

History has provided many men with evidence that their future depends on being strong and short-fused so that they may fend off attack, or hunt wild animals and provide food for their family. Characteristics which involve action and decisiveness; boldness. Attributes which may not translate so well while trying to be a nurturing parent. I know many people who grew up with fathers who went to work every day day and came home to a clean, orderly household and expected his children to be 'seen, not heard'. But then aggressiveness does not decrease an ability to love and protect. Apathy and ego can maim a man's soul, and has. It's time to celebrate the subtle!

As a man and father who has experienced success by being quiet, empathetic, stoic, and the prime caregiver, I say: Be the one to nurture. Be the one to cry and fret. Don't fear to love, for it may be the only thing that keeps your child, your mother, your ex or your wife, from ever knowing that they had a man in their life who kept them safe. 

There are no saber-tooths or mammoths left. 

But it's still a choice.

Heros

Been an eye opening weekend. Read Escape From Camp 14 about Shin Dong-Hyuk escaping from Kaechon Internment Camp 14 in North Korea. Born into a brainwashed, isolated, and tortured existence. He is still the only person born in such a camp to survive and get his horrible story out to us - the rest of the world. And there are many camps similar. We have no idea just how lucky we are!

And just finished watching High Ground, my favorite documentary of the year (not including St'at'imckalh, Spirit of The People). I liked Iron Man 3 and Star Trek: Into Darkness but this film has REAL heroes. Men and women who put their lives into the Iraq/Afganistan war and came out severely injured. Even blind. The film is a transitional, visual story about their experiences as they all attempt to summit Mt. Lobuche, a 20,075 foot peak close to Mt. Everest. If you ever needed a kick in the ass to say: "You can do anything!", watch this movie and be moved by real superheroes, one of which is blind and still manages to make it to the summit.
...This post is a simple expression of remembrance that, no matter what we've been through or what we perceive as holding us back, you don't need to have a suit of steel or even an awesome spaceship to go where no men or woman has gone before. You already have your power: You. And YOU can do anything.

Long weekend

Hope you all did your happy dance!

Have a great long weekend, Canada.

Mother's Day Public Service Message

Happy Mother's day to all of the tireless moms, grandmothers, step-moms, foster moms, past and even future moms. This day is about you.

And a big shout-out to all of those dads out there who are doing their best to be great single parents; both mom and dad. It takes a real man to be strong, nurturing and womanly all in the same day. Cheers!

                                            

Of course, I will be the first to offer the same sentiment to the exponentially more number of moms on Father's Day, but today we celebrate Moms.

And guys, listen up: Let's celebrate the fact that without mothers, there'd be nothing: No people, no babies, no whales, no cheetahs, no bears and probably not many plants for that matter.
Of course a few dim lightbulbs might say: "But without men, how would they even be able to become mothers in the first place?" But that question is moot, because if the Creator - or God, if you like - didn't give a woman everything that makes her a woman, like a womb, breasts, and moon-times, there'd be no boy to even entertain the idea of what a penis might be useful for, okay? A mother made me. I am 100% sure a mother made you, too.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms since the beginning of time. We love you mom!

The power of being

Did you know that you are special? Do you realize your worth?
Your power is aimed at you not through you. When things get rough, its not just a matter of letting go of the past. You can only take what you've learned and use what you're going through to forge ahead. Your power always becomes tangible, to you and to others, when you move forward with intention.
Your kids see it.
Now you try and see it.
Your kids are mirrors and what you see is you. When you move gracefully, they will too.
Try it. You are not "only" you, you are the universe - contained.

The First Post

It's late. We had a great day in the sun on his paper route. One thing I certainly noticed today (after seemingly month upon month of rain and wind): The degree of involuntary smiling seen upon the faces of strangers is definitely related to the amount of available sunshine on any given day. 
Hope you've had a good day.