Although much of my life was lived with the attempt to choose the right choices, along the way I've taken ownership of times I have failed. In specific there was a time where many of my choices ended up being terrible ones that not only affected myself but dramatically hurt others.
This time of my life is when I first got a taste of independence, a sip of freedom. At 17, I moved out of my parent's house and moved in with a friend's family. I could not take the constant oppression I was feeling by being controlled by my parents. It was time to start a new life, and take ownership of my future. The idea I had in my head was one of conquering this world. Of showing everyone that I was bright, mature, strong, and able to slay dragons. This was the time of my life where I started thinking about the boss, ME.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Identity Recovery: The Wound
In life you are allowed many freedoms and many choices. You can choose where to go to college, who to marry, what friends you have. With many things in life you have the ability to change your circumstance. The one most important choice you have no control over is who your parents are. As we know, there are broad examples of parenting which have the largest impact on your life. This can be a determinate of your success.
When a boy grows up the first few years they are especially attached to their mother. Being a father of three boys this example is lived out on a daily basis. My oldest son, Ryland being four years old, is starting to learn what it means to be a man and to separate himself as an individual. His brothers, on the other hand, being 2 and 1 still covet their mom as the center of their universe. But there does come a time in every boys life where they detach from their mom and start the journey towards manhood.
When a boy grows up the first few years they are especially attached to their mother. Being a father of three boys this example is lived out on a daily basis. My oldest son, Ryland being four years old, is starting to learn what it means to be a man and to separate himself as an individual. His brothers, on the other hand, being 2 and 1 still covet their mom as the center of their universe. But there does come a time in every boys life where they detach from their mom and start the journey towards manhood.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Identity Recovery
I am not sure if my blog can compete with this title. A month ago a few friends and I discovered what is wrong with men, including ourselves. We are trapped! Our happiness, our feeling of self worth, our worship, our focus has taken a turn for the worse. Men now-a-days have no idea of who they are. This can start at an early age, not having their dad around or even worse, an abusive dad. It can happen by their mom wielding control of the household, preventing them from ever seeing a glimpse of what it takes to be a man.
Over the course of this year, I want to commit a blog a month to uncovering this problem in our society. Why is it so many men we know are making bad choices, living selfish lives, and refusing to grow up? I talk out of discovery and not out of having a complete answer. I would like to get feedback to as how you have seen this in your life in the past or even now. What has kept you from believing you have what it takes to be a man?
Over the course of this year, I want to commit a blog a month to uncovering this problem in our society. Why is it so many men we know are making bad choices, living selfish lives, and refusing to grow up? I talk out of discovery and not out of having a complete answer. I would like to get feedback to as how you have seen this in your life in the past or even now. What has kept you from believing you have what it takes to be a man?
Life Lately Updated
This blog is an update to what got my blog rolling in the first place. My very first blog entry, which I was very reluctant to write (for some reason when I think blog, I think hipster) was about the road of recovery in my families finances. The focus of becoming debt free started about two years ago since the vacation up in Montana. Much has happened since then and things have happened since my first blog entry. Here is the update.
Because of the recession and the fall of housing prices we had to make a choice that was hard, which was to sell our house. When we bought our house 5 1/2 years ago we were not quite sure if/how long we would be able to afford it. I mean I was 21 and my wife was 22 buying a new 1900 square foot house. I was well aware of the financial burden that would be on us. But we jumped in with both feet and were able to live there for 5 years. What is funny is when we bought that house, our plan was to live there five years, sell it and buy something we really wanted. Little did we know (or anyone else for that matter) how far the housing market would fall.
Because of the recession and the fall of housing prices we had to make a choice that was hard, which was to sell our house. When we bought our house 5 1/2 years ago we were not quite sure if/how long we would be able to afford it. I mean I was 21 and my wife was 22 buying a new 1900 square foot house. I was well aware of the financial burden that would be on us. But we jumped in with both feet and were able to live there for 5 years. What is funny is when we bought that house, our plan was to live there five years, sell it and buy something we really wanted. Little did we know (or anyone else for that matter) how far the housing market would fall.
Monday, March 7, 2011
3 Reasons to Live
Many of my posts have been reflective on what changes have been happening in my life over the past couple years. I have been introspective on the desire for growth in my life and have taken steps to accomplish that. However I have yet to take the time to write about what is extremely important to me and also something that defines me in a heavy way. I am talking about my three great boys.
Writing these blogs have been a way where I could be reflective on my own life and see the way God has grown me and also see the relationships I have developed over my life. But my blogs are also dedicated to my boys. Twenty years from now I want them to be able to read about my life and what I was going through to show them that I am someone that can help along their journey. Also I want this to be a forum where I can unveil the enormous amount of love I have for them. I want them to know specifically how they have impacted my life over the years so they can know that they are very loved. So I want to share with you specifically the blessing of each of my boys.
Writing these blogs have been a way where I could be reflective on my own life and see the way God has grown me and also see the relationships I have developed over my life. But my blogs are also dedicated to my boys. Twenty years from now I want them to be able to read about my life and what I was going through to show them that I am someone that can help along their journey. Also I want this to be a forum where I can unveil the enormous amount of love I have for them. I want them to know specifically how they have impacted my life over the years so they can know that they are very loved. So I want to share with you specifically the blessing of each of my boys.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Power of Music
Some of the most influential things in my life mostly are people. My parents, my wife, kids, pastor, great friends. These people have been a huge asset that I cannot quantify. But what happens when these people are not around and I am alone? In my life, this is where music has stepped in and has been inspirational, thought provoking, emotional and has influenced my life. I will take you on my journey of the different times in my life where music has affected me the most.
As a child I remember listening to music young. Back in those days you were influenced by what other kids were listening to: New Kids on the Block, Criss Cross, MC Hammer, and the classic Vanilla Ice. Looking back I can proudly say I am embarrassed that I ever let those sound waves come close to my ears. Back then, this was just filler music, didn't really mean much or have much impact on who I was.
As a child I remember listening to music young. Back in those days you were influenced by what other kids were listening to: New Kids on the Block, Criss Cross, MC Hammer, and the classic Vanilla Ice. Looking back I can proudly say I am embarrassed that I ever let those sound waves come close to my ears. Back then, this was just filler music, didn't really mean much or have much impact on who I was.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)