Thread: A Request From a Single Mom

Thinking on this overnight I recall something an old friend used to say often at AA meetings 25 years ago. "Do the right thing, and the right thing happens." Regrettably I haven't always followed that advice since I first heard it but in 60 years of living I can say that it is true.

My pops dumped me when I was a kid. My uncle and my grandpa were all I had. They have since passed on.

What they taught me was the intangibles, but here goes.

Respect
Honor
Commitment
Never give up until you have no other option and even then look for another option.
Men are men not boys. Act like a man and you will be treated like one.
Women are not punching bags.
A beer is good to cool down on a hot day or while you are waiting for the lawn mower to cool.
If you become a father, be a DAD. Anyone can father a child, it takes a man to be a Dad.
Lead when you can and have the wisdom to know when you can't.
Children are your mirror and as long as you can look at yourself in one and not be disgusted, your kids should be fine.
Always do 8 wraps on your lure when you are fishing and trim the line close.
Work for what you want and you will not want.

Manhood isn't conferred upon you at some arbitrary age. It isn't awarded to you for being a "Good Boy." And you cannot buy, or earn it. Manhood is achieved. You become a man by doing the things a man does. By acting the way a man acts. By accepting responsibility for your actions, owning up to the things you have done.
A REAL man does the right thing. Not because it's fun, or popular, but because it's right. I have found that if there is a question in my mind about what the right thing is, in a given situation...the right thing is usually the thing I'd rather not do. It is sometimes distasteful and often it is hard. But if you do the right thing, everytime, you can look in the mirror and not be ashamed of the man you see.
Conduct yourself with honor. Strive to be an honorable man. That quality is rare enough these days, that a lifestyle of being honorable will set you apart from the masses.
If you will do these things, you will come out right, in the end.

I wish I had something like that when I was a kid. Dad and mom split and never interacted with eachother when I was about 1 or 2. Mom rasied us solo and I didn't get the "guy" side of anything till my early 20's, as in I moved out... Didn't get a handle on stuff till my late 20's, where did I get it? The Army of all places. Well I can't complain much but I sure wish I had something of a male education alot younger in life, maybe I would feel better about somethings in life. Oh well...

Your word is the most important thing you have, and it's value is dependent on you. (there've been times I've been pressured into giving my word, but once it's given I consider it law, few people question me when I say anything now.)

Never let a woman be assaulted without at least attempting to distract the assaulter so that she can get away. (this includes verbal assault.)

I think its just about all been said, and said quite well. Heres my nickels worth, stick to the Golden rule, "Treat others as you wish to be treated." Deal honestly, be courteous, always tell the truth, try to find something in everyone that can be appreciated(probably the hardest). Always do right no matter the difficulty. Love and honor your mom, and when you have your own family do not let anything keep them from being first in your life.
God bless you and have a very happy birthday!

"If you ever go back into the past, don't touch or do anything, because even the smallest change can have a catastrophic effect on the perpetual continuum."

"Never trust anybody with a first name for a last name"

"A broken clock, although broken, is still right at least twice a day."

"What a caterpillar calls death, i call a butterfly."

is any of this stuff usefull???

The right way isn't always the easy way, but it's the right way.

Happy birthday

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Great idea!
My father told me that being a man meant, "Having the integrity to stand by your convictions, be truthful in your dealings with others and being able to admit and accept when you are wrong."

Words to live by there...Thank you for sharing that....