My dad understood your father's philosophy perfectly (he was a stock broker), but never displayed that or any other similar outlook while being home. Maybe, he thought it'd be wiser if I experienced life's craziness, and learned on my own how to detect morally bankrupt individuals? Maybe, he understood how toxic it would be to share such an outlook with his kids at such an early age? Idk🤔. I kind of want to ask him now, though. Also, people who sustain this line of thinking almost always seem to be unaware that they've already been "caught" technically. There's just no reason, atm, to expose what they've done.
Discussion
One of the things he said to me was, "Do as I say, not as I do."
I spent very little time with the man and when we did, he trying to tell my brother and I, "Don't be like me" and that we get to decide that when the time comes.
I have never met anyone who was as authentic as he was. He was good at being bad and he accepted and really embraced that. He also knew it will eventually catch up to him.
Your father and I may have more in common than I thought: I feel as if I've always been authentic most of the time (because everyone has, at least, a pinch of phoniness in them), and I know that I was good at being bad, which I did accept and embrace for a long time (service years), just like your dad.
FYI, I can't help but respect your dad a fair amount, for being able to embrace his bad side and still raise good children. Not my style, for sure, but still... need to respect the outcomes🤷.
For sure. I think he had more impact on us for being mostly absent than being around.