My son dreamt I was the bad guy - what a horrible and powerful lesson learned.

TITLE - MY SON DREAMT I WAS THE BAD GUY...WHAT A HORRIBLE FEELING. Branden Travis Mackenzie | May 18th 2020 THE STORY : I hear my son Derek get up like he had a bad dream. Told him I was here. He said he had a bad dream and that he dreamt I was a bad guy. My heart sank ....what a horrible feeling .... I QUICKLY WONDERED WHY AND REMEMBER THE NIGHT PRIOR: The night prior I told Derek as he challenged me - go up stairs. I did not yell, I told him in a way he did not question, he moved. When I went up stairs he was mad. I told him when I say something he needs to listen. Problem is I over reacted - he was right. This is where shit gets fucked up. This is where I run the saying - it’s my job to be a parent and his job to be a kid. But that doesn’t justify using force over power. I acted like a fucking dictator. The end result my son has a bad dream that I am the bad guy. THE TRUTH - THE RAW FACTS: I was having a bad day and he didn’t listen. His lack of attention was a trigger to my frustration and the result was me taking it out on him. This is not about the moment I failed at the end of the day but the moments I failed at the beginning of the day. A PAINFUL REVELATION: There is a bad guy within all of us and I am not exempt. I want to cage that man. I want that guy to only come out when the shit hits the fan where I am in a position of absolute fear for my family. Outside of that I can not allow the actions of that night. Some may say - hey man you are just being a dad. Fuck that - I was a dick. I was an asshole dad that was short tempered. Combine that with the wrong actions in general and outside influence from the wrong people in society and my son will end up a magnified version of the man I was that night. WHEN ALL THE DUST SETTLES: To understand that my mission is to be a good man, a good father and husband. I want to never forget this as it is a reaction to my actions. My son dreamt I was a bad guy. There is a bad guy within. When I fail to rise that’s when I slip. I allow sedation from stories like - your job to be a dad. Forget that - it’s not a job nor a title - it is an honor. MY QUESTION FOR YOU: What can you do? How can you own your day from the start so that when those you love challenge you ... in the end you are not the bad guy - you are not the bad guy in their dream.... Branden MacKenzie Proud Member of Warrior US Army Infantry Vet 2001 - 2006 A father, husband, brother, a son, a friend fighting to become the best I can be. Oh by the way.... do you want more clarity, more certainty, more ability to be present with presence? Join the Wake Up Warrior Challenge I recently experienced personally - 30 days of power presence earned in the work you will do. This challenge has giving me the ability to pivot, to learn, grow - gain clarity I could only earn within this process. I believe its not the destination - its about the journey and the man we are becoming on a day to day bases. https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie&utm_source=brandenmackenzie