When you get older, you realize that parents understand and know much more than you thought.

In June’s issue of Popular Mechanics, they list 127 Things My Dad Taught Me.

It’s a pretty fun list with some wise sayings, so during our 30 day journey, I’ll post a few up:

“Mike Tyson, 46, boxer, former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world
During training, when you have to do things over and over until you’re in pain, deep in your mind you say, God, I don’t want to do this no more. I felt like a coward for thinking this way. But my trainer, Cus D’Amato, was there when I needed him. He was a dad to me. Cus would explain that you should always do things that build your character and make you a better individual.”

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/skills/127-things-my-dad-taught-me-15541018-2

The story of Mike Tyson and Cus D’Amato will definitely be made for TV when Mike is gone. As Mike stated above, Cus was a dad to him. Therefore, it reminded me of Tony Dungy’s blog post today over at All Pro Dads.

Are you like a father to any one? For those who do not have children yet, do you try to mentor other young men who need a positive male influence in their lives?

“Success vs. Significance

Source: http://www.allprodad.com/dungy/success-vs-significance/

I’m still learning this one myself fellas, but thankfully, we haven’t had to argue about the boyfriend yet!

“Don’t worry if your time doesn’t go smoothly. Take her for a stroll in the park. If you end up arguing about her boyfriend, that’s all right, because even arguing is a form of connection. You wouldn’t argue with her if you didn’t care about her – something she’ll recognize, whether she confesses it later or not. Arguments aren’t necessary for you and your daughter to figure each other out, but they don’t necessarily hurt either. The one rule is that when the argument is over, it’s over. Don’t pick at it. End it, make up, and move one – all before the sun sets. And then take her out again.”

– Excerpt from Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know, by Meg Meeker

Dad taught me this one early on, and I follow this advice to this day…and I play the outfield!

Lesson #2 that dad should have taught Cal State Fullerton’s Austin Kingsolver is that you turn AWAY from the pitch, not into it. Why? Because you may, well, get hit.

What may be worse is that Arizona State’s Josh McAlister wanted to argue that it was a strike.

As Cris Carter would say, “Come on man!”

“I wish all my sons will get married and have two or three kids. I think a man needs two or three kids to be whole…that’s what’s important to me.”[not football]

– William Sanders, Father of Barry Sanders

When William Sanders passed away almost exactly two years ago, Mr. Sanders had 11 children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Read more on his life here.

But Dad, would your kids say that being married and having a family is more important sports to you? I think if we were to study what gets more father and son time and attention, sports would win in an epic blowout.

Consequently, our society does not lack grown men who do not know how to play video games or dribble a ball, but less and less know how to be a good husband and raise some children.

CSD

Brother Goose had 7! No wonder he wasn’t in a friendly mood to see us this morning, he had to find Sunday breakfast for his crew!

My day started out with me taking a walk with my youngest daughter, Boney Love.

While out, we ran across another family. This dad was not playing around. He was guarding his family and watching me like a, umm, Canadian goose!

I admire my man, or is that “my goose”, as he taught me my lesson for the day.

But first, I’m not talking about the obvious physical protecting going on here, I’m talking about the protection you can provide your offspring before they are ever even present.

This goose-encounter led to a discussion with my 7-year old that I want her to learn now. Choose a man who will protect you and your family, but also you as  a woman will need to protect your children as well.

Sadly, many women never learn this lesson.

According to numberofabortions.com, there have  been over 505, 277 abortions THIS YEAR! We are not even at the halfway point of 2013, and we’ve already surpassed the 1/2 million mark. Obviously, many ladies are not following the advice they say to men all the time which is, “If you didn’t want to be a parent, you should have thought about that before we laid down!”

Yes, the womb is supposed to be the safest haven for a baby but sadly this is often not the case, and there’s not much you can do about it at this point Sir.

Many guys decide to have children with a woman who:

– cares about herself more than her child/children

– see having a child as a long-term insurance plan (ask many athletes about that one)

– care more about her sexual pleasure than caring for her child/children. For example, “entertaining” when they think kids are asleep and/or letting strange men spend the night or even caring for their kids. (Read Mother, boyfriend face child abuse charges here as one of many examples)

Unfortunately fellas, we often do not think about who we will have children with, until she calls (I hope these things aren’t texted these days but I’m sure they are) and says, “I’m pregnant”, then all those warm and fuzzy feelings turn to thoughts of, “She’s having my kid? I don’t want her as mother of my children!”

While marriage tremendously reduces the likelihood a man running into the above, some men do still marry women who function biologically as a woman, but have certainly never learned how to be a mother.

So guys, learn from Brother Goose. I’m not trying to bash on women, but shady actions done to children goes on much more than we would like to admit (because after all, that’s not our family, it’s those “ghetto/trashy” folks across the street…) and the most dangerous place for your child is sometimes the mother’s belly or her home.

But just remember, when you laid down, you gave up your right to protect and gave the responsibility to her, so choose wisely!

Proverbs 12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

A couple of years ago I posted why Reggie Jackson was my “mentor” growing up (read here). I’d like to start off our month with one of the lessons I said my father taught me in that post:

“Look at Reggie, and how he handles himself, and that’s how you must handle yourself in this world.”

One of the points my dad was trying to make is do not be what people expect and do not be like everybody else:

– Be smarter than anyone thinks you are

– Be better than anyone thinks you are

– Talk better than anyone thinks you will, because most feel black men are not “articulate” (those who know, understand why that word is in quotes.)

– Perform under pressure, even when you think you cannot do something

– Don’t make stereotypes true with your behavior (I later would adopt Roddy Piper’s line, “Just when you think you have the answer, I change the question)

Those statements have carried me through me life. I thank God I had a father around to teach them to me.

How about you? What ways did your dad dare you to be different?

Let us know in the comments below.

CSD

Source: http://girlsofpuritymagazine.presspublisher.us/

This is the one month that dad’s get recognition. Granted, the gifts that are marketed to us and even sometimes given are a bit on the lame side (all men know never to give their wives a vacuum cleaner on Mother’s day whether she wanted one or not, but Father’s get tools and “do some work” gifts all the time) but it’s good to have at least one day where we are given some love.

But I’d like to give love for the entire month of June. Every day this month, I’m going to try to post a photo, thought, or lesson that I’ve learned from some great dad’s in The Game. I’ve only been in the trenches for 23 1/2 years, but I will soon be a grandfather and it’s time to reflect and prepare a new generation of warriors.

Some jobs you never retire from…nor would I ever want to any way.