Growing up without a father figure can be tough. Without someone to show you the ropes, you're left to learn life's lessons on your own. But some lessons are more important than others, and two that I learned early on have stuck with me my entire life.
The first lesson I learned is that a man without money is dead. It may sound harsh, but it's the truth. Money is what makes the world go round, and without it, you're going to struggle. As a child, I saw my mother work tirelessly to provide for our family, and it was a constant struggle. I knew then that I didn't want that kind of life for myself or my future family.
The second lesson I learned is that love is what a woman does, not what she says. As a young man, I had my fair share of heartbreaks. I would fall for women who would say all the right things, but their actions never matched their words. It took me a while to realize that love is about more than just words, it's about actions and how someone treats you. I knew then that I wanted to find someone who not only said she loved me but showed me through her actions.
Now, as a father myself, I want to pass these two lessons down to my son. I don't want him to have to learn these lessons the hard way like I did. I want him to know that money is important, but it's not everything. I want him to understand the value of hard work and the importance of being financially responsible.
I also want him to know that love is about actions, not just words. I want him to find someone who will support him and be there for him through thick and thin. Someone who will show him what true love really means.
These two life lessons may seem simple, but they can change the direction of a man's life. I know they did for me. And I'll do everything in my power to make sure my son learns from my experiences and doesn't have to go through the same struggles I did.