The Words of a Father

We boys and men need that turbocharged encouraging and empowering word from our fathers, or at least another respected male.

My mother powerfully affirmed me, but my Dad used the opposite tack. He used to say, ‘You’re a show-off. Stop skiting.’ My personality is definitely larger than life and yes, I do have plenty to say. I have an opinion and a solution to all problems. I was and still am super-confident to some, a little arrogant, seen to be ‘up yourself’, a lair.

Later in life, my relationship with Dad improved. We got it together. He came to the footy with me and we went to the trotting together. I now know he loved me and wanted the best for me.

But in my youth, Dad kept me down with words – you know what I mean? I think it was his way of making me humble, but instead of thinking about it and learning from it, I was discouraged by those words. They hurt my heart deep inside. I wanted him to tell me how good I was.

Maybe he wanted me to be more determined as a result of his strategy. Well, it worked eventually. I didn’t stay down forever.

If you’ve been talked down by your father, how did you react to it? Did you use it as a springboard to get up and go, or did you crumble? Now’s the time to get up!