What example would this have set?
There's a saying that you should...
Print out and stick on your bathroom mirror.
I'll tell you what it is in a sec but first...
I was at the beach over the weekend.
It was warm but windy.
The waves were about a foot high.
The sun shone between bursts of grey clouds scurrying across the sky.
Me and the kids couldn't wait to get in the water.
But here's the thing...
When we got to the beach I could tell...
NOBODY else in our group was even slightly interested in getting near the sea.
In fact, hardly any of the dads on the beach was going to dip a toe in.
Yeah, it would be chilly.
But what a great opportunity to enjoy that awesome feeling of...
The sun on your shoulders.
The water lapping over your feet as your toes dug into the wet sand.
Gazing out across the ocean to see a SunSeeker super yacht gliding along in the distance.
Feeling like any stresses are melting away as you breathe in the sea air.
Now I'm not saying that everyone should have gone swimming like I did.
I'm a pretty strong swimmer since learning the 'Total Immersion' technique.
But at least go and get your feet wet.
There's no way I could have sat passively on a deck chair...
With such an excellent opportunity for a great experience passing me by.
But more importantly...
What example would that have set for my boys?
'Hey Dad, are you coming in the sea with us?'
'Ooh, no boys, it's too cold, I'll just watch'...
No.
That would be sad.
So, into the sea we ran.
Jumped over hundreds of waves.
I pretended to throw them out to sea as they screamed and squealed.
I carried them a few metres out on their boogie boards...
So they could pretend they were little surfers...
And get carried onto the beach by a minuscule wave.
We ALL had a great time.
I was an active dad.
We didn't let the fact that the water was chilly spoil our fun.
After a while, we marched back to the group.
All of us shivering but laughing.
Wet stuff off, dry clothes on.
Big towel wrapped around them.
Sat in the sun to munch on beef jerky...
Tell everyone how amazing it had been.
A great experience.
I noticed plenty of other dads on the beach...
Sitting, scrolling on their phones...
Whilst the kids played in the sand and begged them to...
'Watch me Dad.'
'Build a sandcastle with me Dad.'
'Come and paddle with me, Dad.'
Those men missed out on a golden opportunity...
To connect with their kids.
To have an experience with their kids.
To be an example to their kids.
That kinda sums up...
What kind of man I want to join me and the others...
In the upcoming membership.
It's not about if you'd get in the freezing cold sea...
It's about what example you set for those you love.
And ultimately...
Who do you want to be?
The man who sits on the sidelines...
Or the man who takes action and dives right in.
So there's that saying that I mentioned at the top of the Journal.
It’s not what you want to do; it’s who you want to be.
So who do you want to be in life...
The scroller or the swimmer?
More importantly...
Who do the people you love in your life NEED you to be?
Something to think about.
Catch you Wednesday.
And remember, the world needs strong men.
Anthony
Whole Man Academy
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