Like Father Like Son

My son, Brandon, turns 22 years old today. There is no question time has rushed by too quickly. The cliché, “just blink and they are grown” is especially true when I think of my oldest child. He is a young man now with his own vision and a healthy appetite for life. He will find success because he is predisposed to do so – not because I taught him how.

It’s always amazing when we hear stories of young men who were born in poverty, or lived in gang-infested communities, or were raised by abusive or alcoholic parents, but somehow managed to find a way to escape and create meaningful lives. In these instances, it wasn’t because their fathers passed along the right set of genetic code or modeled exemplary behaviors either; it’s because these boys came into this world with a purpose that belonged only to them.

Each one of us has our own purpose to find and to claim for ourselves. It is instilled in us long before we are born. It may lie dormant for many, many years until the right catalyst comes along to nudge it into action.

We may even know through our own intuitive nature and inner wisdom what our life’s purpose happens to be long before we take action and begin the process of living it. Sometimes our conditions in life keep us from listening to our souls and pursuing our true hearts’ desires. Too often the blame game is played.

We blame our parents, our spouses, and our jobs for our unhappiness and lack of personal fulfillment and success. We sometimes fail to realize that what we need has always been inside of us – just waiting for us to acknowledge it and to commit to its power and life-changing force and grace.

The following lyrics from the Eagle’s song Already Gone is a great reminder of this truth:

Well I know it wasn’t you who held me down
Heaven knows it wasn’t you who set me free
So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key

Brandon’s potential is on the cusp of being released with an energy and force that will propel him into graduate school; then into a career that will nourish and sustain his incredibly loving and compassionate spirit.

There is no question he still has a lot to learn about himself and the world. Furthermore, where he might be ten years from now may not even resemble where my son is today or even next year. But that’s not the point.

The point is Brandon begun to realize what was inside of him about two years ago. It wasn’t a big “A-ah” moment, just a subtle prodding in his gut that told him which way to go to find his purpose, passion, and most importantly, his happiness in life. I respect him so much for listening and accepting. He understood he had the key.

My intent as a father has always been to love Brandon; care for him; and provide guidance and support along the way. Being far from perfect, mistakes were made. However, from the moment Brandon was conceived there was a plan for him – a plan just for him. My mishaps have not derailed his progress because his plan has far more governance.

He was destined to be successful because he already had the right genetic predisposition. This did not come from his father on earth. This same predisposition is in each one of us, too. Today we get to celebrate Brandon’s awareness of his potential and life’s purpose.

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