Inspiration

A Most Unconventional Guru. Content Warning.
Some would say he is a man with no hope, others may turn and walk away when they see him in the street. Many still harbour fond memories of a friend they once knew, a friend that fought life’s most difficult battles and yet could not fight the desire to be numbed from it all. A man that was lost to those who loved him most, in efforts to escape himself. Although the tone of this essay may seem a little grim, please do not take it as a story of despair and delusion. My father is much more than that. He is a man of many mistakes, yet not one of them passed by without its lessons. Lessons, that he was sure to pass on to his children. He showed us what it means to be human, by walking the hard path one bare foot at a time, pulling each piece of glass and stone out of his soles, and showing us the scars left behind. I watch as others walk the same path, yet out of shame, they keep their bloody soles hidden. The fact of the matter is, the reason my dad’s lessons sunk in so deep, is because of the blunt force reality of their execution. No lesson was sugar coated, most of the time they were excruciating to learn, yet you could always rely on them being centred in absolute truth. I believe there is not enough of that in our world today. Truth seems to always be hidden in shame, and as a result we are all living in distorted, false realities. What a rare and valuable teacher I had, to have taught me to see this life for what it really is.
By Cenedra Hogan3 years ago in Men
I Can Drive A Truck
The young man stands in front of his parents. His mother looks proud and his father relaxed and expectant. The young man wears a cap and gown and clutches his diploma in his hand. How proud they must be of their college graduate. This is the image in a cartoon my father cut out of one of his medical journals and gave to me. The caption is the young man saying “Now can I be a cowboy?” My dad understood.
By Traci E. Langston3 years ago in Men
My father, my friend
To this day, my dad can be incredibly hard on himself. I think he sometimes questions my upbringing and thinks to hard on what he could and should have done. When I was younger, especially a teenager, I could have pointed out all the ways I thought my dad wasn’t being fair, or that he was mean. But now that I’m an adult, I’ve come to see how much he really did for me, and taught me; both in what he gave me and what he didn’t. So when I hear my dad being hard on himself, I always pause and think, could I have told him he was better more? And the irony is, that both of us tend to overthink it; we dont realize that we’ve probably taught each other a lot more then we could have ever imagined.
By Lane Burns3 years ago in Men
A Father's Legacy: Shaping My Identity
In the tapestry of our lives, there are those extraordinary individuals who leave an indelible mark upon our souls, weaving their wisdom and love into the very fabric of our being. For me, that luminous figure is my father, a guiding light whose influence has molded my identity in profound and transformative ways. As I reflect upon the profound role he has played in shaping who I am, a surge of gratitude and admiration swells within me, overflowing with appreciation for the priceless lessons he has bestowed.
By Antonio Rodrigues3 years ago in Men
Hats Off To You Dad!
What is a father? A father in my opinion is anyone who was able to provide the energy to balance the masculine energy within you. We are taught that we are male or female based on the body we are born into. New age teachings, which is basically a urecycling of ancient teachings, indicates though we are male and female we do carry the energies of both within us. Feminine energy governs our emotions and masculine energy governs our survival; atleast that is my interpretation of it all because it makes sense.
By Julia Alfred3 years ago in Men
My Dad's the One in Bright Orange
In cultures and people all over the world, orange takes on many attributes in clear displays of versatility. Buddhist monks wear orange to symbolize sacrifice and the letting go of worldly possessions. It is the national colour of the Netherlands worn to show patriotic pride. Orange is central to Halloween and the allure of a dark and spooky night. Orange brings warmth to the cooling autumn temperatures and a vibrancy to the shades of colours on full display in the changing foliage. As with any colour, orange also has individual impacts. Orange was a colour that stood out to me sometimes brilliantly and other times with sadness. It was obnoxious and warm, two ideas I felt opposed themselves, making it a confusing combination to wrap my head around. At a time when all I wanted was to blend in, orange seemed too attention seeking and loud; and when I did want to stand out, orange was not the colour coinciding with my bold emotional state. In hindsight, my feelings towards the colour had more to do with whom I attached the colour to. There were times when the colour gave me anxiety and made me feel alone, but as I got older, I realized the colour was only trying to challenge me to see things differently so I could become who it knew I was all along. Orange is now a calm presence; the ability to be goofy because it is fun; and a colour of unwavering love: it is the colour of my dad. I truly believe that orange embodies who my dad is in both a literal and figurative sense, and that has greatly influenced me on my journey to finding myself.
By Mollie Narutovics3 years ago in Men
The Last Minute, Late Night Ramblings of a Loving Son
Let me preface this by saying: I love my dad. Anything I write here is merely meant as critique. Not criticism. He’s always been there for my sisters and me. He’s been steady and dependable. He’s always had a great job and been able to provide his share for us.
By Kevin Barkman3 years ago in Men
A Key Ingredient
The actual name of the lake is Lake Cleburne, but we always called it Aunt Sally's Lake. She was my aunt who owned a cabin on this private lake that had no more than ten cabins on it's shores. Her cabin was quaint and rested about half way around the lake, just off the main dirt road. There was a hill that led down to the covered docks that housed two Jon Boats. The wasps nests were plenty and snakes were sometimes sunbathing on the homemade, concrete and stone steps. Spider webs were ritually and methodically jabbed at with a broom to clear the passage to the dock and the boats.
By Shawn Bailey3 years ago in Men
The Permanence of a Father’s Wisdom and Tattoos
Meet “Diddy” My dad was quite the amazing person, leaving footprints in the hearts of anyone he came into contact with. He was a genuine, loving, hard-working family man. He found happiness in the small things, was grateful for everything he had, and enjoyed the quietness of nature and countryside living.
By Annie Edwards 3 years ago in Men
FATHER'S FOOTPRINT
Father figures hold a significant position in our lives, acting as beacons of guidance, support, and love. In my journey of self-discovery, my father has played an integral role in shaping my identity. His unwavering presence and invaluable life lessons have left an indelible mark on my character and influenced the choices I make. Through his actions, he has taught me the importance of resilience, the power of empathy, and the pursuit of lifelong learning. This reflective essay delves into the profound impact my father has had on my life and the invaluable lesson he has imparted, which continues to shape my outlook on life.
By Chima Chibueze 3 years ago in Men
From Struggle to Success: A Father’s Unyielding Love
In a small town nestled amidst a world of dreams and aspirations, a joint family existed—a microcosm of diverse personalities and financial circumstances. At the center of this family stood my father, a man of humble means but boundless determination, and alongside him, my uncle and elder brother of my father, who was blessed with affluence.
By zain Ul Abedeen3 years ago in Men
5 Behaviours that are Making You Feel more Lonely
In today's hyperconnected world, it may seem paradoxical that many people feel increasingly lonely. Loneliness is a complex emotion that can be influenced by various factors, including our habits and behaviours. It's essential to recognize certain habits that may unknowingly contribute to feelings of isolation and take proactive steps to cultivate meaningful connections. In this article, we'll explore five common habits that can make you more lonely and provide strategies to break the cycle.
By Samuel James3 years ago in Men