I will be the first to admit I live a pretty damn lucky life. I have parents who love me, who believe in me, who gave me a good education, and who taught me the principles of hard work, respect, cultural awareness, and human dignity. I grew up seeing and experiencing the world in very different ways than most Americans. When I became older and started a career in international development, I felt I was merely extending my childhood activities into professional responsibilities. This gave me the opportunity to have more control over how I see, smell, feel, hear, and experience the world.
Since learning of Emma's soon-to-be arrival my perspective on life has changed, and it's changed fast! My need for adrenaline-packed adventures have shifted from how many border crossings I do in a year to finding long-term stability; I've reached a point where I want and need constancy.
There is no doubt that the awesome responsibilities of being an expecting father has thrown me upside down, inside out, and around and around in circles. In fact, I've come to realize and take responsibility for the fact that I can sometimes be egotistical, overly confident, selfish, and self-righteous. Coming to terms with this on my own has not been easy.
I want Emma to feel loved. I want her to be confident. I want her to stand up for what she believes in and to know the difference between wrong and right. I want her to know when it is okay to be selfish, but that magnanimity is a rare trait to be proud of. I can't teach this to Emma if I am not comfortable myself with my own faults. Emma will need a male a role model in her life to set the standard for what she is deserving of for her future. And that role model starts with me.
Since learning of Emma's soon-to-be arrival my perspective on life has changed, and it's changed fast! My need for adrenaline-packed adventures have shifted from how many border crossings I do in a year to finding long-term stability; I've reached a point where I want and need constancy.
There is no doubt that the awesome responsibilities of being an expecting father has thrown me upside down, inside out, and around and around in circles. In fact, I've come to realize and take responsibility for the fact that I can sometimes be egotistical, overly confident, selfish, and self-righteous. Coming to terms with this on my own has not been easy.
I want Emma to feel loved. I want her to be confident. I want her to stand up for what she believes in and to know the difference between wrong and right. I want her to know when it is okay to be selfish, but that magnanimity is a rare trait to be proud of. I can't teach this to Emma if I am not comfortable myself with my own faults. Emma will need a male a role model in her life to set the standard for what she is deserving of for her future. And that role model starts with me.
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