A Great Year for Good Dads

Good People: Great Dads

As we contemplate the legacy of Jimmy Carter, it strikes me he is basically a good man who exhibits a good life and examples what brought great results. That’s what every dad can do. Carter finished his work here on the planet and is having a good time in the next. His example speaks for generations to come. Every good dad wants that.

Don’t worry about being a great Dad. Focus on being a good Dad. A good dad is a great dad.

What makes a good Dad great?

A good dad is one that takes it seriously and works at it.

There you go. That is my definition of a good dad. When a good dad works on four items, he wakes up one morning as a great dad.

Here are four goods, which add up to great.

Strength: Take it seriously and work on it. Strength is that character trait that allows you to stand in the winds of change and disaster and success. A good dad keeps his cool when life is rocking. Be good at being there and being calm for your family, friends, business, organization, and community. Just be good at it. Good strength is enough to get the job done.

I like to think of the Hulk. That guy can shake it up when needed and still be standing at the end. Unfortunately, he used anger as his initiator. Make compassion your initiator. Meaningful activity will build strength.

Energy: Take it seriously and work on it. Energy comes from daily regimen. Exercise, eating right, meditation and prayer, and bonding with others builds energy. Surround yourself with other good men. Good energy gets you up and moving every day to see life through.

I like to think of Ironman. He built that inner core of energy to keep going.

Faith: Take it seriously and work on it. Faith can break the sky in two. Faith reaches out and appropriates on behalf of others. Faith starts with hope. Hope has a focus, a motivation, and a pathway. Hope gives faith a handle on which to build and wrestle into reality. Good faith finds a way when there is no way.

I like to think of Captain America. The guy takes the lead position in the face of defeat and fear. He calls others to follow. That’s faith.

Compassion: Take it seriously and work on it. Compassion goes the extra mile. Sympathy is okay but doesn’t evoke action. Empathy is okay, but still looks from a distance. Compassion embraces the pain and struggles of others and acts. Good compassion steers the boat in a storm and makes a way for others when they cannot for themselves.

I like to think of the Mandalorian. He took Grogu when others scattered. He stuck with it. He saw it through with compassion.

When you add up being good at strength, energy, faith, and compassion, the results are great. Families are stabilized. Men are realized. Communities are built.

Summary: Where did I come up with these four? There is nothing new under the sun. If it is worth observing, someone else already said it. In the first century CE, a world-shaker, Paul of Tarsus, wrote a letter of encouragement to all the communities in which he had helped build good men. About 2/3 through the letter he says, “For this reason I kneel to God, THE FATHER, from which all other fathered groups get their name, their designation, their focus.” That’s my interpretation of the Greek in which he wrote. Then he goes on to pray for strength, compassion, faith, and energy. Those words have effectively guided billions of folks for 2000 years across all cultures and continents. Works for me. Good dads can get great results by working on these four. Good plus good plus good plus good = Great.

Go for it, good Dad!

Life Long Dads. Kids Need ‘Em.

Phil, #thethinkdirector

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