Generation to Generation...

Have you ever thought about what our parents were doing at our age? While I don't feel like I have to meet any expectations set forth by my parents -or feel any pressure to do so- it's an interesting thought to entertain. I often look at my friends and wonder where we will be in ten years. Are we anything like our parents?

Will our accomplishments be the same as our parents or will they differ? If I choose to have a family, will I be able to give them the kind of life my father gave me? Will I be as successful in my career as my father was with his? Will I be around to take care of my parents in their old age, like my parents were for their parents? How will the dynamics of my marriage differ than that of my parents relationship?

Out of everything I have listed, perhaps I feel most motivated to improve upon my father's shortcomings than attempt to emulate his success. For example, those growing up without a loving father may feel much more motivated to be a great father to their own kids. Similarly, if your parents don't have the best relationship, that may increase your desire to work harder at your own relationships. I don't believe in the perfect family, but I do believe you can use the past to form a better tomorrow.

It's also interesting to see the parallels between my father and I. Thanks to my father, I am a skier, musician and scuba diver. In his late twenties, my father played in a wedding band for supplemental income; I shoot weddings. My father's traveled to remote places around to world , as I have too. He used to scuba dive illegally in quarries; I cliff jump illegally in quarries. My father's passion for jazz is much like mine for hardcore. Yet, for all that he has accomplished, he is the most humble, selfless man you'll ever meet.

"For those I love, I will sacrifice."--Indecision