Mon. Nov 4th, 2024

These 4 Indispensable Skills Can Save You Years of Agonizing Hardship

I grew up in a rough, inner-city ghetto in Miami, Florida, the son of a 16-year-old mother.  And as tough as it was growing up without a father, not having him attend any of my wrestling matches, football, basketball or baseball games, one of the most difficult things I had to endure was him never teaching me how to swim.

I know you may find that hard to believe, but I’m not talking about the kind of swimming lessons you’re thinking about. In fact, the swimming lessons I’m talking about don’t even involve water.

So what do I mean? I’m talking about the four skills every man should know, if not from his father, at least from another man in his life whom he loves, trusts and respects. I didn’t meet such a man until I was 33 years old. That delay cost me a 16-year marriage, broken relationships and financial hardships.

These are the four swimming strokes I believe every man must eventually learn to master:

1. The Backstroke:

Every man must learn to come to grips with his past and learn from his past mistakes, hurts, habits and hang-ups. As men, our past may explain us, but it doesn’t excuse us from present and future decisions.

It was once said that a man who doesn’t learn from his past is destined to repeat it. You won’t have to repeat the past if you learn to master the backstroke.

2. The Butterfly Stroke:

Every man must learn to find, accept and live his God-given purpose in life. Every man, metaphorically, starts out as a caterpillar, but he wasn’t intended to remain one—crawling on his belly for the rest of his life. He was expected to transform into a butterfly because he was destined and designed to fly, not crawl. But the butterfly stroke doesn’t happen by osmosis; it has to be learned.

3. The Breaststroke:

Every man must learn to master and win the heart of his wife. Many men have found themselves treading water when it comes to this area in their life. Whether you become a husband or not, every man must learn not only how to love a woman but also to understand the inner workings of her heart.

4. The Freestyle Stroke:

Every man must learn how to communicate freely with his children without fear, shame or judgment. It’s one thing to master the heart of a woman, but it’s another to win the heart of your child. A father must learn how to provide his children with a safe place to hurt and a healthy place to heal by getting them to freely share their fears, doubts and insecurities.

Although it took me longer than most to learn how to swim, my current wife and my blended family are so glad I did. I’m living proof that it’s never too late for swimming lessons.

Which swimming stroke is most challenging for you as a man? Leave a comment below! {eoa}

Dr. Joe Martin is a certified Man Builder, creator and founder of realmenconnect.com, and an award-winning educator. He’s also a husband and father of a blended family of two.

This article originally appeared on allprodad.com.

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Related Podcasts

More News
Jonathan Cahn: What Does God Say About Your Vote?
Jonathan Cahn: What Does God Say About Your Vote?
How False Hope Has Paved the Way for the Antichrist
How False Hope Has Paved the Way for the Antichrist
When Was Hell Prepared?
When Was Hell Prepared?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
Katie Souza Warning: Serpents, Werewolves and the Occult
Katie Souza Warning: Serpents, Werewolves and the Occult
Is the Modern Church’s Condition an Indicator of Jesus’ Return?
Is the Modern Church’s Condition an Indicator of Jesus’ Return?
7 Startling Ways Biden and Harris Are Misleading the Public
7 Startling Ways Biden and Harris Are Misleading the Public
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Latest Videos
72.9K Subscribers
966 Videos
7.1M Views

Copy link