Words from Dad

My Drive to work this morning.

This morning on my drive into work I was listening to Johnny Cash. Normally I am a podcast and audible listener for my morning drive. Johnny's music was on my playlist so listened for a bit and started to think about a story of his brother. His Brother Jack was killed in an accident when he was young. This death haunted Jonny for his lifetime. The words his father spoke to him that day also affected him his entire life. Johnny's father told him he had wished it was him instead of Jack that had died.

These comments obviously deeply affected the young Jonny Cash and there is my thought. So these things echo in our minds and sometimes affect people (children) for a lifetime. I can remember words from my father when I graduated the police academy at the age of twenty. I walked across the stage to be presented my badge from him and he told me " I am very proud of you." Obviously these words have stayed with me and I am fortunate that they are positive and encouraging. Unfortunately in life sometimes we say things we should not. I try to always wait before I speak and regretfully sometimes I can be critical of my own son. I know that I have to get as many positive, encouraging and uplifting echo's running around his head as I can. So that during his life when he thinks back he is encouraged and not defeated by my words.

Always remember that we are building each other up and we have to be committed to that. Destructive talk can be heard everywhere don't let it come from you. Plant the echo's at every chance and make sure that if they are to be the only words your remembered for that they are words you can be proud of.