Here is a photo of the squad from Predator. I hope everyone has as good of memories with their father as I do with mine. I spent a decent amount of time around my dad growing up, he was typically within reach in terms of being “there for me.” He was pretty tough but he also spent extra time to ensure that my mind was able to capture the reason for his rage, disappointment, pride, etc.
My dad is a little bit like each member of the team from Predator. He has always been someone who explores the nature of things, and popular film and cultural films like Predator in a pre-internet era received extra recognition. The movie boasts incredible action scenes, realistic extra-terrestrial life, and macho weaponry. It has all the makings of a father-son macho movie.
But it has a team. It has leadership. It has multiple cultures represented. It has dissension. It has difficulties. It has an upward climb against all odds. There are multiple characters throughout the film that represent different aspects of what it means to be a man. Underneath all of the fatigues and Hollywood firepower are messages of truth, and each member of the team loses his life in the face of themselves.
One character offers himself up mano y mano with the beast and sacrifices himself. One character slowly battles in stealth using covert tactics and gets his face blown to bits. One character chases down the beast and thinks he can catch it. A few characters don’t pay any extra attention once the beast has made itself present. One character thinks a huge gun will protect him from the beast.
This film has so much more to it than what meets the eye.
The film has lessons and character developments within it that nobody really sees. These things in life that develop within us over time come from times spent learning lessons with our fathers. Not all fathers are the same. But the ones who made sure to be there for their sons… are the same. There is a true leadership value to fathers who dedicate their lives to making sure that their sons truly capture the lessons before them.
My father is someone who didn’t have a great leader to show him things. He is someone who developed an ability to move with the earth in a way that keeps him happy without that. I will forever respect him for the ability to perceive the world around him with the soul of a chameleon. He can truly be present and hang out with just about anyone on the earth I’d say.
There is value to the practice of being a father. Someday I know I will at least be a good one, because I had a great one. Thanks to my father for setting such a great example of how to be a leader. And Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dad’s out there giving their all! Lessons will be practiced tomorrow that are being learned yesterday! Great Leaders aren’t born, they’re made! Make Great Leaders!
