Family, A Firm Foundation

Anthony Brandt, a composer and professor, bests put it when he says other things may change us, but we start and end with family. I often share that my six core sectors of life are faith, fitness, family, focus, finance, and friends, in that order. Faith, being your relationship with God (where you came from), and fitness your relationship with yourself, family is the first external factor to consider.

In my podcast interview with Praise Fowowe, we discussed how a man’s way of life is derived from his culture. Where culture is the way of life of a people, the way of life of any man is derived from the foundation his family had laid for him as a child. “A child is a Tabula Rasa, a blank slate,” said Praise, and so the core of who we are starts from our family upbringing.

So what if you have a faulty foundation, and find that it affects you negatively today? What should you consider doing about it?

1. Understand your past. Find ways to articulate your childhood. Were you scared of your parents growing up, yielding to fear of authority figures today? Use keywords to describe your past.

2. Talk to a Counselor. There's so much value in talking to a professional who can help guide you through how to mitigate the effects of your past.

3. Address the First F. Faith is key, and connecting with your Maker, who has the authority to reconfigure your motherboard is likely wise.

Remember, “Families are like fudge- mostly sweet, with a few nuts”, says Les Dawson. So don't get mad at whatever negative past you might have, it happens.

Best wishes,

L.B.