He came to see me because he had gotten into trouble, and his parents had heard that I coach and connect well with young people.

 

Unfortunately, I can’t help everyone.

 

It was hard to reach him.

 

He wouldn’t open his heart.

 

He was charming, yes—but guarded, protected, almost dismissive of life itself.

 

Still, he shared a story that stayed with me.

 

His father was very successful by worldly standards.

 

He was also extremely capable and handy.

 

One day, when this young man was about six or seven, he and his father were driving when they passed someone broken down on the side of the road.

 

“Daddy, daddy—help that person!” the little boy said.

 

His father didn’t slow down. He turned away and replied,

 

“You can’t help everyone, son. That’s how you end up poor and wasting time.”

 

The boy didn’t think much of it at the time—

but somewhere inside, he was disappointed.

 

I tried to unpack that moment with him.

 

But the boy had become a man who was hardened—someone who had lived a largely meaningless life, marked by taking advantage of others and never committing to a path or a purpose.

 

Why do I share this?

 

Because our children are watching us.

 

They are shaped not just by what we say, but by what we do—and what we don’t do.

 

That father had a sacred opportunity to be a hero in his son’s eyes.

 

He could have shown him that one of the deepest meanings in life is helping someone in need.

 

Instead, he chose his schedule.

He chose self-interest.

 

To me, it was a tragic failure.

 

And years later, the result of that moment was sitting across from me.

 

We don’t get those opportunities back.

 

And we can’t reverse the consequences of our choices—especially as parents.

 

This father not only lost his chance to be a hero but became the poor example this young man didn't need.

 

It wasn't just this moment but thousands of subtle ways of neglect from his duty as a father.

 

What truly lasts in life will not be success or money, but moments like these.

 

Moments that get passed on from one generation to the next.

 

I know parents do the best they can, and we’re all shaped by how we were raised.

 

But the time has come to be more mindful.

 

Our survival depends on it.

 

I hope this helps someone who has a child—or someone who grew up with poor examples.

 

Raising a child is the most important job in the world and I'm giving you permission to prioritize it.

 

And even those of us whose parents didn’t have the emotional maturity or capacity to raise us in a truly life-giving way can turn things around.

 

But we have to want help.

 

And we have to have the courage to get it.

 

With that, anything can change.

 

No matter how far you’ve gone down the wrong road, you can always turn around.

 

Wishing you a life that is truly meaningful—

 

and children who benefit from it.

 

Much love,

 

Bert