Letter from Father to his Sons

My Dear Sons,

As I watch both of you grow, I am filled with pride and hope for the men you are becoming. I am proud of you as your father, and being a father is one of the greatest honors and responsibilities nature has bestowed upon a man. As you are growing in maturing and exploring new experiences, I want you to know that life will present you with many paths, opportunities, and challenges, and that the choices you make will shape your future and impact those around you. As a result, in this letter, I would like to share some advice and a few facts about life that I hope will guide you in decision-making and throughout your journey.

Above all, it is important to build your character before you pursue anything valuable in life. The true worth of a man is not measured by what he owns or his association, but by who he is and what he knows about himself. You must learn about yourself through critical self-reflection and cultivate your innermost being.

Be a man of integrity because integrity is about personsal development and the qualities associated with your character; keep your word because people will evaluate your character based on what you say and the promises you make to them; and treat all people with respect, understanding, and compassion. Do not be misled by vain and senseless ideologies of this world that prioritize materialism over people, individualism above the collective, or self-interest above the common good. In everything you do, think twice about the impact it will have on others, and always seek wisdom, ask for advice, and live in such a way that you will be able to make the most of your life and for human flourishing.

It is also significant to nurture good qualities in your heart and mind, these might including kindness, patience, humility, courage, and compassion, as well as intellectual curiosity and autonomy, open-mindedness, truth, knowledge, and a life of reason. These virtues will be your compass when the storms of this life test your wisdom and strengths. People will remember you not for your possessions, but for the love and goodness you show, and how you use your knowledge to act with wisdom and moral responsibility.

Moreover, I want to emphasize the value of education in the choices you make and the opportunities presented to you. Pursue education with all your strength, and choose a career wisely that you will use to improve yourself and serve others; your career-choice is about self-improvement and the change you want to see in your community and in the world.

A life of the mind will allow you to think critically, make wise decisions, and contribute meaningfully to your community and the world. As you’re pursuing a career as vocation and becoming a better human being, be aware of your place in this global and interconnected world, and also remember that you share a common humanity with the people who live in other countries or those who are far away from your own. Your contribution to the world has the potential to make human relationships and friendships stronger and better.

Sons, do not stop there! It’s also of great value you cultivate a life of the soul, which is a life of intimacy and experience with God.
Feed your spirit with prayer, reflection, and faith, and pursue the things that honor God and glorify his name in your words and actions. I want you to remember that a strong mind without a grounded soul in God will leave you empty and spiritually void. True wisdom comes when intellect and faith walk hand in hand, and that our soul was made for God and the true happiness and satisfaction of the soul remains in connection with God.

Correspondingly, always honor and thank God for your success and for every blessing in life. Nothing we have is truly ours alone; everything is a gift from God, our Maker. Gratitude will keep you humble, and humility will keep you close to the heart of God. Begin and end each day with thanksgiving, and God will guide you and strengthen you even in difficult times.

Finally, it is of paramount value that you live in unity and harmony with others, and nurture good relationships and treasure good friendships with others. The world is full of differences, but never let ethnocentrism or your worldview build walls between you and other people—regardless of their proximity or difference, nationality or citizenship, gender or identity, education or class, religion or faith. Sons, choose peace over conflict, understanding over judgment, and love over hate. A man who brings people together is a leader and renaissance man, and he will leave a legacy that time cannot erase.

My sons, I am always here for you, cheering for you, and believing in the potential and greatness within you. Walk in truth and understanding, live responsibly and with faith, lead with love and compassion, and never stop learning and pursuing the common good. If you do these things, you will expand the meaning of life beyond your community and country, and live a life of honor and peace, and that is the greatest success of all—contributing to human flourishing in the world.

With all my love and pride,
Dad