When we think of the word legacy most often family comes to mind. I have expanded that view. Legacy not only encompasses my immediate family but my extended, self-declared family. These folks taught me more perfectly the concepts I’ve embraced as a husband and father.
The Rites of Passage Program is preventive; helping the young man successfully navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence journeying into manhood. When we execute this training correctly the young man creates a legacy that can last generations. It starts early with our concerted efforts. Since I’ve been taught I eagerly pass those teachings on to my son.
My “teachers” have included older men and women at the Miami Gardens Church of Christ. The lessons imparted have corrected and admonished, coached and guided, challenged and encouraged. By them I’m a better father. Empowered, I now have a worthy legacy to leave my son. Embraced, he will be empowered to cultivate a rich heritage with his own family. Regardless how humble or unwholesome your upbringing has been you have the power to choose a different family (when your natural family hasn’t modeled good things). Adopting your expanded family can lead to a positive legacy and heritage. Positive male-lessons must be passed on, through this; life-draining cycles are broken and replaced with life-affirming behaviors.
Following is a short list of concepts worthy to be passed on:
-
Keep God first
-
Fathers stay home
-
Husbands love your wife
-
Fathers don’t provoke your children
-
Parental influence reaches into the future
Simple lessons, yet not taught to our boys. Though not expressly listed in our Rites of Passage Program; empowering young black boys to fully embrace their manhood can lead naturally to embracing these lessons. And when this connection is made positive legacy and heritage germinates and flourishes.
What is your legacy, your family heritage—how did those things develop in you? Share your legacy with the young men around you; doing so changes the world.
Boys' Rites of Passage 