Isn’t it fulfilling to observe the growth in those you love?

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Henry & Bill Reconnection 12.30.14

“I want to grow. I want to be better. You Grow. We all grow. We’re made to grow. You either evolve or you disappear.” 

~ Tupac  Shakur

Growth  groth / noun

1. The process of growing,  A stage in the process of growing,  Full development: MATURITY.

 

“Hey Mr. Roddy, I’ll be in town next week for a few days and would love to meet with you.  I have lots of great news to share.” ~ H.S.

I’ve had many topics of discussion that encompass manhood development with the young men I’ve mentored.  When they update me on their lives and the growth they’ve experienced over the years I reminisce over the conversations we had.

“Mr. Roddy,  thanks for meeting with me.  I just want to let you know that I’married.  I am living out of state now, working and my spouse and I have big plans for our lives.

“I want to let you know that I learned so much from Mrs. Roddy and you.  I’ve applied much of what I observed from you as an adult man.”

Being part of young mens’ growth, maturity, and transition into manhood is fulfilling.  Hearing about their marriages is special to me.  As a married man I know the value my wife has added to my life. To know that just by observing me, they have a good platform in which to start their journey together as a committed couple.

 

Doesn’t it give us confidence to know that those we love and mentor are truly watching and are influenced by our behavior?

Couldn’t relevant stories be used to inspire youth to enjoy reading?

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Romeo Academy Youth

ROMEO Preparatory Academy for Boys, Paris Texas

125sqMFTHbookWhile writing my memoir, Manhood From the Hood, I experienced emotions most memoir writers experience.  How will my story benefit others? Will others relate? There were a multitude of internal directed questions I had to face as a new writer.

One inspirational comment came from a youth I’m mentoring:

“Mr. Roddy, I enjoyed reading your book.  I learn so much more about you and how you were raised.  I was able to relate to all of your stories. I liked your honesty when you shared meeting your biological father for the first time. So many of us young men still struggle with this aspect of our lives. Why don’t you try to see if schools would consider using your book?”

 

Manhood From the Hood has received praise from ROMEO Preparatory Academy for Boys in Paris, Texas under the leadership of David DeWayne Barker, to inspire youth to the value of literacy, reading relevant stories that reflect their lives.

 

Couldn’t hundreds or thousands  more youth be inspired to value literacy while reading relevant life stories?

 

 

Mentoring Awareness

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BillRoddy_ManhoodFTHood_FBArt_61913_36

Family and close friends are a part of our inner and most trusted circle of contacts.

We never know who we are influencing as we live our lives.  But you can be sure there is always someone observing our behavior!

 

How do think people feel when they are in your presence?

 

As an eighteen year old man leaving home for the first time I didn’t quite fully understand the influence I had over those younger than I until later in life.

Being an adult man I am conscience of those I mentor and those who are observing at a distance.

 

Have you ever wondered what we are inspiring those we mentor to become?

 

 

 

Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

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One of Manhood From The Hood’s most enthusiastic fans in Coach Denny Welter!

As we told you last week, Coach Welter has spent a career teaching young people how to use the same life values Bill Roddy’s grandfather shared with Bill when Bill was young.

Coach Welter agrees that sometimes the thoughtful gestures of kindness and support from adults can help a young person thrive:

“My high school basketball coach, Merlyn Kinkel, would give me and the other kids who lived out in the country a ride home from practice. There wasn’t a late bus to take us home in those days. That thoughtful act allowed us to play basketball when we might not otherwise have been able.”

Keep checking in every Monday to read Coach Welter’s Favorite Quotes from Manhood From The Hood!

Thanks Coach!

11.Being at the ballpark created a bond with his grandfather at many levels.

12.Learn to read well.  It is the key to a good education.

13. Never trust anyone outside of our family

14. Take pride in working the fields, producing the crops and reaping the harvest.

15. Take pride in the work you do.

Coach Welter and all of us at Manhood From The Hood would love to see some of YOUR favorite quotes so send them in!