The Call of Fatherhood: Preparation. Protection. Love.

When I first learned I had a child on the way, my inner voice immediately said, “It’s time to prepare”. To try and put clothing of words, to express the emotions & feeling I felt at that point, is beyond me till this day. For this piece, I’ll share elements of the preparation I had to accept & undergo, in order to love this offspring of mine, as I do now.

Accept And Be Comfortable In Isolation To Learn More About Self– Preparation

Although I’ve lived the bulk of my life in isolation (from family due to foster care…; and school friends due to expulsion in my younger years), I wasn’t happy. To be totally honest, I was broken. I had thoughts of suicide. Which would then transition into thoughts of revenge. I had distanced myself from the thoughts and life of love, and substituted with toxicity within self.

 

Given my child was on the way, and it being the year of the 1st wave of the global Covid-19 pandemic, I had to stare at my inner reality, and confess, that I wasn’t ready for fatherhood. What followed was me being tutored into accepting & embracing, my physical isolation from others, so that I can tackle my inner issues of self. For unless this is done, I will not be in the mental & spiritual place, this child will need me to be. This was a painstaking reality. Coupled with the external challenges the Covid-19 pandemic was causing OB Fitness, I was needed to be 100%. For if I wasn’t, it would more than likely experience the reality of death, as  was the case for many other entities in Jamaica, and worldwide. My trust in & commitment to the vision, as well as my connecting with the right people, were instrumental for OB Fitness sake. As I continued my mission centered around self, what spearheaded my overcoming of my inner demons, was my acceptance of, and focus on, the bigger picture. And my role in it. The life I live is not only for me. It is now for them, and the many others aligned, who are similar to them.

Committing To The Teachings of Martial Arts & The Purpose of OB Fitness–Protection

“With my spirit I perceive. With my mind I believe. With My body I achieve”.  Source: KUKIBO (Kung Fu Kickboxing Martial Arts) Motto. Related: The Martial Arts: Still Relevant Towards Reducing Crime Within Our Global Society This motto was central towards helping me sharpen in my capacity of being optimal in my overall fitness (physical, mental & spiritual). This motto in extension, also helped me improve towards my understanding, communicating & protecting of OB Fitness purpose. These 2 entities were (and still are), pivotal towards protecting me from my inner demons. They were also instrumental in helping me live as I am currently on the physical plane-a life premised towards the edifying of others. With AMB now here (and potentially others to follow), both KUKIBO Martial Arts & OB Fitness, provide her with a shield of protection; through me, and the many others like me, who make up her personal & social circles.  

Nurturing. Allowing Room For Learning & Growing–Love

Without question, AMB will undergo training by me, geared towards her: Self Defense. Appreciation of Geography (better understanding people & the physical world). Understanding of the role of KUKIBO Martial Arts & OB Fitness to her & her lineage. While I will be very close, AMB will be allowed the room to learn about herself & her world around her; as she transitions through her developmental stages. It’s only by doing this in my view, that she’ll be able to find, and live, according to “her” purpose.   “Your Sustainable Fitness Partner”.  

About The Author

Oshane Bryant: BSc Geology, Geography Minor; ACE CPT since 2012; Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Accelerator Graduate-2018 cohort; Licensed KUKIBO Martial Arts & Self Defense, Senior Instructor; OB Fitness Founder & Managing Director.