#thisisbeardseason

I remember there was a lamb in the back of the ute in a pile of dead ones and it still had a bit of life left in it and I said ‘Dad, that one’s still alive’. And he picked it up and knocked it on its head because it was too far gone and I think no one that hadn’t grown up on a farm would be able to understand that, but it gave me a unique view on the way things are.

I suppose one of the big things between father and son is that you never want to disappoint your dad. I definitely felt that when I was growing up if you screw up, you don’t want to tell them until you work it out yourself. It’s an obligation to sort it out, rather than put anything more on their shoulders. And the more than you can’t do it, the more frustrated you become with yourself and the more you start to churn and that churning can lead you down a bit of path of self-destruction. That can be related to your job, school pressures, relationship stuff as well.

One of the things that helped me is when dad was going through some tough times he would tell me. And I was lucky enough to be there when he was frail and not always strong, cause then it made me understand what that’s like.

He taught me that in the end it’s okay to screw up as long as you learn something. Stay open and be able to say, I didn’t get this right or I don’t know the answer. And never be afraid to ask questions. I don’t know if that’s the key to happiness, but it’s always a good idea, whatever the situation.”

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