Is there anything cuter than a child excitedly grinning to display the space where a baby tooth just came out? They are excited because losing that tooth means they are growing up. (To be fair, for some kids the idea of getting a visit from the Tooth Fairy doesn’t hurt, either! 😊)
All of us had little gapped-toothed grins! Remember helping a tooth along as it started wiggling out, beaming at everyone and pointing at that tooth you would be losing soon? Once it finally popped out, your happy grin showed off the place where your new adult tooth was filling in the gap left by the tooth you lost!
It takes several years for baby teeth to be replaced by our adult ones. Each permanent tooth slowly grows under the weak primary one—invisible until it’s time to break through and fill the gap left behind with the stronger tooth meant to last a lifetime.
Those are not the only gaps every single human being has in common in life. As we grow and change, our life experiences bring other gaps into our lives that are as diverse as we are. So, here’s a no “one-size-fits-all” answer to filling in what’s missing.
It’s important that our gaps are filled with positive things that make us stronger, but the younger someone is, the harder it is to find healthy ways to fill in the gaps that come up in life.
That’s why I’m growing a heart for finding ways to help fill in the gap for boys and young men who experience a hole where a strong male role model is missing.
I’m not just an educator and coach; I’m also a father. I’ve seen what my boys have struggled with in life, and my experience helps me guide them through those struggles. But what about the boys who lack a stable, loving man who can walk beside them and help direct them down a good path?
What happens to them?
Too many boys get into trouble because they don’t understand what self-respect and meeting goals look like. They often grow into young men who struggle to understand how their expectations of themselves can affect their lives and those around them. They don’t learn how taking extreme ownership of their decisions can make their lives better now, and as men.
That’s why Gentlemen for Life exists. It’s easier to relate to someone you have something in common with, so Gentlemen for Life pairs young males with positive older male mentors. Each mentor serves as a good role model since they truly have their youth’s best interests at heart. For some young participants, it is the first positive experience they’ve ever had with a male role model.
Slowly, the gaps in the young man’s life are filled as they learn the importance of self-esteem, thoughtfulness, and success. They learn from observing and participating with others, which teaches them the habits for success, while growing a healthy mindset. Many Gentlemen for Life participants express an eagerness to become mentors, as well. Adding more, solid role models for new generations of youth to learn from.
So, just like a strong adult tooth waiting to erupt through and permanently fill in the gap, there are young men who are just waiting for a solid male role model to help them break through life’s barriers and fill the emotional void with something stronger that will last their lifetime!
Just like those young men, always remember:
Don’t Quit!
Coach Quis
