Down-to-earth Contentment

I sat down for a good talk with my parents, and told them about my disappointments etc. I have always known that my parents had, have and will always be supportive of me. It's just that I cannot seem to bring myself to be fully open to them somehow even when I was growing up. I still remember how, at the age of 14, that my dad had told me it's his wish that I regard him more as a friend, than mere disciplinarian dad per se. That took me by surprise then, and I had given him a look of incredulity. Somehow there was this blocked mindset that my dad will always be my dad, and that it's not possible to regard him as a friend. Now on hindsight, at the ripe old age of 27 (my dad is 55), I realise I must have really hurt him when I was unable to open up to him. Hardly surprising that my younger brother and my dad are closer. When I look at how stoically he had stood by me in my moments of depression and how he believed in me enough to let me make my mistakes and yet be there for me, I can say with utter conviction that, yes, my dad loves me and it's his love for me that, time and again, has been a source of strength and support. I can be vulnerable to my Heavenly Father, and it's time I take that step towards my own dad.

Also realise that I am surrounded by guys who are very much down-to-earth and contented with their lot in life. My pastors, my closest friends and of course, my dad. When he told me how he had given up the chance to be the regional manager in an MNC because the role would require him to travel 3 weeks in a month, I wonder if I would have been able to pass up on that opportunity if it had been me. God must have surrounded me with so many guys to show me I don't have to be so hung up about achievements and ensuring I finish at the top of the heap in the corporate rat race. My dad told me I should not focus on the material aspects of success, as that can be my downfall. So did my pastors. Even my best friend remarked a while ago that I sometimes have no compassion. So it's time to change all these. I recognise it is perfectly all right to be down-to-earth and contented, rather than being cosmopolitan and materialistic.

I also want to be make my parents proud of me, and in the event that I do get married one day, I will make certain I thank my dad in front of everybody that without him, I would not be who and what I am, and that he is a fantastic role model of a man who knows what is truly important (family and contentment) and is not afraid to take a firm stand in that. That is the one thing I want to grow in, and that I believe is the reason why I am surrounded by so many guys (pastors and close friends) who are down-to-earth and contented.