10/24/2023
I see you, I am you, I know you. I understand the pain residing in your heart, the doubts swirling in your mind, the shame weighing on your spirit. You are not alone. You are valued. You are seen. You are heard. Yet, you are also misunderstood, undervalued, ridiculed, shamed, guilt-tripped, and labeled as a “monster” by society. I know the thoughts that keep you awake at night, pondering how to make the most of this life. Perhaps you yearn for a father figure to guide you, or maybe you had one, but the relationship was far from ideal. This does not define you. What defines you is how you rise each day, making the most of the time bestowed upon you. How do you show up in your relationships? What kind of father do you aspire to be? What life do you wish to build? The pressures of manhood are real, tangible. Acknowledge your struggles, embrace your vulnerabilities. Speak to yourself with a kind voice, reminding yourself that you are enough, that you are doing enough. The world may not always be kind, but you have the power to be kind to yourself. It’s okay to cry, it’s okay to vent. You are more than a provider, more than an ATM, more than what you can do. You are a human with needs too. Begin meeting yours. With love.
