Who is Pouring into our Young Men

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have other men step into my life.  I lost my dad when I was 18.  It was a probably one of the most challenging transitions I had to make.

My dad was my mentor, role model, provider, protector and father. He started me out on my journey. I wanted to be a writer but didn’t know how. In his words, “read the bible”.

I remember my uncle giving me my first exposure to the work world  He taught me my work ethics. In his words, “if you don’t have something to do, find something to do”.

In my second job, I had forgotten that and experienced the harsh reality of being fired. However, that lesson brought be back to my core and kept me humble. At the time, in my own words, “Stephen what where you thinking”. At the time I was not. Later the new conversation was, “Mistakes will be made, just don’t dwell on them, work through them.”

Then there were two men who shaped my leadership style, Barrington Nugent and Mervyn Eyre. They both helped me to recognize that leadership starts with a conversation.  They showed me how to be authentic and to put people first in everything I do.

The story does not end here and never should it. No man is an island, no man stands alone or should stand alone. There are others to be told and I am sure you too have your own stories of individuals that have poured into your life.

Who has poured into you? Are you pouring into someone else’s life?

Who is pouring into our young men

who is bringing them across the path

from boyhood to manhood

and taking them away

from the distraction of life’s cast.

Who is pouring into our young men

giving them a chance

to take on the next generation

their family, relationship

and being a father at last.

Who is pouring into our young men

teaching them the skills that they will need

to be men of valor,

caring, daring and living their dreams.

O. Stephen Peart. 2020 © All rights reserved

About this Poem

This is a call to awaken our sensitivity towards the core issue that we are leaving our young men behind. We can’t expect young men to just get up and know exactly what to do to be the men they need to be. Who is Pouring Into our Young Men is part of the Speak Life Series. A Production of Released Expressions.

———————————————————————————————————

O. Stephen is passionate about words and believes that words can Inspire Change, Connect People, Perspectives and their Stories to create new possibilities. A published author and founder for Released Expressions Publishing, he writes daily to experience the power of the written word. He fosters growth through listening and learning to shape perspectives and bridging ideas.

He believes every individual can attain their full potential by Starting with a Word. O. Stephen is leading a movement to inspire people to Release their own Expressions. It is this vision that drives him daily to see others realize their superpower and deliver at work, home and play every day.

An avid Toastmaster and a member of the Toronto Writer’s Collective (TWC), O. Stephen carries his badge as a Mental Health Advocate. These offer him the motivation to stay grounded and be committed to serving the community. He is a dad to two (2) amazing girls. He is driven each day to live a life of gratitude and that’s just how he seeks to end each chapter.