I’m a big believer in the transmutation of ideas, wisdom, and thought. For instance, I’m sure that Velcro was not invented to keep children’s shoes on. The Internet was developed for scientists to communicate with themselves, but we figured out it could work for all of us. In 1959, the Navy built the first real satellite navigation system designed to locate submarines. Now we use GPS satellites in aviation, locating our lost smartphones, and finding where the traffic is heaviest, among many other uses.
I used this belief of mine to write much of my book on fatherhood. The best books, ideas, and thoughts, written by the brightest people, are available to be plucked like apples from a tree. In fact, Johnny Appleseed's dream was to produce so many apples that no one would ever go hungry. But others saw visions of apple juice or delicious pies. An original idea for the apple, something satisfying to bite into, was transmuted to other purposes that we all enjoy.
Here is an excerpt on this idea from my book on fatherhood
“I can read just about anything and relate it to being a Dad. I especially recommend self-help books, spiritual books, educational books, and memoirs. These books may not talk specifically about being or having a father, but you can extend what they teach into how and what you teach your children.”
For example:
I read James Allen’s, “As A Man Thinketh.” What a source for ideas in parenting!
Here is a quote from Allen’s book.
“A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must and will bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.”
Do I even have to explain what that means regarding raising a child? I hope not!
Here’s another quote from Allen:
“Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.”
Clearly, in raising a child, you must have in mind principles to teach your child. You may think at some moment, “I will give in to their (tantrum, desire, misbehavior) because it will provide relief from an uncomfortable situation that now exists.” However, if that thought is linked to an established purpose (not to spoil them or to have unreasonable expectations), then you may re-evaluate the situation. Your reaction will then be an intelligent one whatever it is, and you will take a small step towards accomplishing a goal.
One last quote from “As A Man Thinketh.”
“The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.”
From Allen’s words, I can devise a version for fathers, which I may use here…and possibly in the future.
“The strong, calm father is always loved and revered. He is a fountain of love from which his child will forever thirst, or a shelter to find comfort when his child is nervous or frightened.”
Summary
Good ideas are like stretch pants; they can be exploited by many. But you must have a consciousness for good ideas and wisdom or they will be wasted or misapplied--as stretch pants often are. My conscious use, or semi-plagiarism, of good ideas usually revolves around parenting, especially for dads.
So what does that mean for Dads? It means you don’t necessarily have to read a parenting book or a book on fatherhood like mine to learn how to be a good dad. In fact, men do not read parenting books as a rule. But you can learn to be a better father if you have ‘dadhood’ on your mind as you read inspirational or thoughtful books. You will learn so much regarding parenting this way!
But I suggest buying, borrowing, or checking out, “The Power of Dadhood” anyway! ;)
I used this belief of mine to write much of my book on fatherhood. The best books, ideas, and thoughts, written by the brightest people, are available to be plucked like apples from a tree. In fact, Johnny Appleseed's dream was to produce so many apples that no one would ever go hungry. But others saw visions of apple juice or delicious pies. An original idea for the apple, something satisfying to bite into, was transmuted to other purposes that we all enjoy.
Here is an excerpt on this idea from my book on fatherhood
“I can read just about anything and relate it to being a Dad. I especially recommend self-help books, spiritual books, educational books, and memoirs. These books may not talk specifically about being or having a father, but you can extend what they teach into how and what you teach your children.”
For example:
I read James Allen’s, “As A Man Thinketh.” What a source for ideas in parenting!
Here is a quote from Allen’s book.
“A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must and will bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.”
Do I even have to explain what that means regarding raising a child? I hope not!
Here’s another quote from Allen:
“Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.”
Clearly, in raising a child, you must have in mind principles to teach your child. You may think at some moment, “I will give in to their (tantrum, desire, misbehavior) because it will provide relief from an uncomfortable situation that now exists.” However, if that thought is linked to an established purpose (not to spoil them or to have unreasonable expectations), then you may re-evaluate the situation. Your reaction will then be an intelligent one whatever it is, and you will take a small step towards accomplishing a goal.
One last quote from “As A Man Thinketh.”
“The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.”
From Allen’s words, I can devise a version for fathers, which I may use here…and possibly in the future.
“The strong, calm father is always loved and revered. He is a fountain of love from which his child will forever thirst, or a shelter to find comfort when his child is nervous or frightened.”
Summary
Good ideas are like stretch pants; they can be exploited by many. But you must have a consciousness for good ideas and wisdom or they will be wasted or misapplied--as stretch pants often are. My conscious use, or semi-plagiarism, of good ideas usually revolves around parenting, especially for dads.
So what does that mean for Dads? It means you don’t necessarily have to read a parenting book or a book on fatherhood like mine to learn how to be a good dad. In fact, men do not read parenting books as a rule. But you can learn to be a better father if you have ‘dadhood’ on your mind as you read inspirational or thoughtful books. You will learn so much regarding parenting this way!
But I suggest buying, borrowing, or checking out, “The Power of Dadhood” anyway! ;)
