So, I woke up this morning reflecting on myself as a father…
Standing on this complex, yet dazzling stage we call life, I realize I have been blessed with not one, but four leading roles – each a beautiful daughter, each a vibrant thread that weaves together the tapestry of my existence.
Ah, the sublime symphony of fatherhood.
My eldest, a mirror of autumn’s grace – mature, thoughtful, painted with the hues of a setting sun.
The next is my summer, a radiant blaze of energy and brightness.
The third, my gentle spring, blooming beautifully into her individuality.
And my sweetest winter, the youngest, graced with purity and an enchanting allure.
Four distinct seasons, each with its unique charm, each calling me forward to be my best self.
I am humbled by the weight of my responsibility, as profound as the mystery of the cosmos yet as fulfilling as watching a nebula burst into existence. Each bedtime story I read, each scraped knee I comfort, each triumph and failure we share…
…has me wanting to hold onto it with an iron-like grip.
Yet, to serve them in their highest good, I realize that I must also serve myself. Like a tree, I cannot bear the fruits of wisdom, courage, and love if my own roots are not nourished. To be the best man for them, I must first be the best man for myself.
So here I am, not just a father to four daughters but I like to think also a steward of the future, a sculptor of values, a keeper of compassion.
And I am committed to being the best I can be, for them and for myself. I am committed to nurturing their dreams and guarding their innocence, all the while striving to learn, to grow, and to love in this divine dance we share.
Have you ever considered the profound and intimate dance of the universe that led you to fatherhood?
I do.
It’s as if a cosmic ballet swirled and twirled, weaving together the threads of existence, until one fine moment, there they were – your children, mirrors of the cosmos and the culmination of a billion years of stardust evolution.
No, I’m not tripping balls on mushrooms as I write this.
Yes, I question how to best make sense of it all, and in turn, serve and support my children.
But, what does it mean to truly show up for my daughters?
It’s a question that is as profound as it is practical, and it invites me (and hopefully you too) to reflect upon the essence of what it means to be a compassionate, serving man.
Consider this: the universe, in all its infinite wisdom, has chosen you to be the lighthouse for these young souls navigating the tumultuous seas of existence.
To show up for them is not merely about physical presence; it’s about being an emotionally available, morally upright, and spiritually attuned pillar of strength.
It’s about modeling the values you wish to see in them – kindness, empathy, resilience, curiosity – and demonstrating that true strength resides not in domination, but in service and compassion.
To be a serving, compassionate man is to rewrite the narrative of masculinity. It’s to challenge the dated, limiting script that says men must be emotionless, detached, and invincible.
It’s to show my daughters that a real man is not afraid to feel, to care, to make mistakes, to ask for help.
Fatherhood, then, is not just a role; it’s a responsibility, an opportunity, a joy.
I share this with you, selfishly, as this is a letter to myself…
As I look back at the flash of time, that has been 10 years as a father, I can distill three principles that I have learned.
Three principles that I strive to come through me, and that I share as insights with you, as I have stumbled through my role as a father.
Now, while there are countless tenets one could choose to follow, let’s shed some light on three fundamental ones that I believe embody the essence of compassionate fatherhood.
- Presence – The Gift of Time and Attention:
Much like the sun that showers our planet with light and warmth, your presence in your child’s life is irreplaceable.
Now, I’m not just speaking about mere physical presence but a deeply engaged, emotionally available kind of presence.
It’s about being attuned to your child’s emotional world, understanding their needs, their joys, and their fears.
I work to remind myself, that the footprints of my time and attention in the sands of their formative years form a path they’ll often revisit in their journey of self-discovery.
- Empathy – The Bridge of Understanding:
Empathy is the bridge that connects hearts.
It’s the ability to step into your child’s shoes, to see the world through their eyes, and to let them know, “I see you, I hear you, and your feelings matter.”
By modeling empathy, you not only meet your child’s fundamental need for being understood but also sow the seeds of kindness and compassion in their hearts.
- Unconditional Love – The Eternal Flame:
Love, in its truest form, is an eternal flame that neither judges nor demands.
It merely shines, illuminates, warms.
Unconditional love is about cherishing your child for who they are, not who you want them to be. It’s about accepting their imperfections, celebrating their individuality, and supporting them in their journey of self-expression.
Remember, to be loved unconditionally is to be seen in one’s wholeness, to be accepted in one’s entirety – what a splendid gift we’re called to give our children.
By showing up as a compassionate, serving man, you are sowing seeds of love, respect, and understanding in the fertile minds of your daughters.
And who knows, these seeds may one day sprout into trees that offer shade to future generations, trees that whisper the tale of a father who dared to be vulnerable, who dared to serve, who dared to love unconditionally.
Blessed beyond words, challenged beyond measures, and loved beyond boundaries.
Here’s to the magnificent journey of fatherhood, the dance with the cosmos, and the symphony of love.
Here’s to us, to us fathers that are grounded by honor, mastery, and love.
Here’s to them, our children, that come through us and not for us.
And so, as I sit here about to start another day of this divine comedy we call life, I find myself in awe of fatherhood, my heart brimming with gratitude.
I look back upon this grand odyssey, this cosmic dance, this roller coaster ride through valleys of doubt and mountains of joy, and I am humbled by the profound lessons my daughters have taught me.
As their father, I have discovered dimensions of love I never knew existed, depths of patience I didn’t know I possessed, and heights of strength I never thought I could reach.
After all, they are not mere extensions of our dreams, but magnificent dreamers themselves, born to script their own vibrant chapter in the grand narrative of existence.
And in the end, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Serving and protecting, loving and learning, stumbling and rising…
I am a father, a beacon of love, a bearer of dreams, a servant of the highest good.
And oh, what a privilege, what an honour, what a joy it is to be just that.