ANoteFromDad

06/17/2026

A lot of fathers carry an invisible weight. The responsibility. The pressure. The desire to get it right. And if we're honest, most days, we wonder if we're doing enough.

This Father's Day, I want to remind you:
- Your consistency matters.
- Your presence matters.
- Your effort matters.

You don't have to be perfect. Just keep showing up.

I dive deeper into this idea in this week's Forge Letter, "Fatherhood is Legacy." Check out the full article on Substack at https://open.substack.com/pub/fivearrowsforge/p/to-the-fathers-in-the-fight

Then tell me: What's one lesson you hope your children carry forward from your example?

06/10/2026

Healthy brotherhood creates growth. Not through constant agreement… But through honesty, accountability, challenge, and encouragement.

The strongest men stay teachable. Coachable. Open to feedback without becoming defensive.

Because sharpening requires friction.

This week’s Forge Letter dives deeper into why every man needs people around him who challenge him to grow and call him toward his full potential. Go read this week’s full newsletter article: “Iron Sharpens Iron.”

Then comment below: Who is one man who has sharpened your life in a meaningful way?

https://open.substack.com/pub/fivearrowsforge/p/iron-sharpens-iron

06/10/2026

What I experienced in that 45-minute workout was real connection. Real honesty. Real growth. Authenticity and vulnerability among 13 men that left me encouraged.

Strong men don’t compete against each other all the time. They strengthen and sharpen each other. That’s how families grow stronger. That’s how communities grow stronger. That’s how men grow stronger.

In this week's newsletter, I dive into what "iron sharpens iron" actually looks like. Dive in with me at https://open.substack.com/pub/fivearrowsforge/p/iron-sharpens-iron?

06/10/2026

06/08/2026

06/05/2026

Sometimes growth requires changing your environment. Not out of arrogance. Not because you think you’re better than anyone else.

But because you’re becoming intentional about who you’re building into. The right circle won’t drain your purpose. They’ll strengthen it. The right men don’t pull you backward. They call you forward.

Go read this week’s newsletter article at https://open.substack.com/pub/fivearrowsforge/p/the-men-around-you then come back and tell me:

Who’s one man in your life that positively influences you? Drop his first name in the comments (or tag him) and honor him today.

Have a blessed day. Go BE the blessing.
— Jason

06/04/2026

It took me over a year to break into their circle of trust enough to open up with me and let me in. There were days I thought my positive energy and enthusiasm… my love for the job… was winning them over and drawing them back toward that part of themselves that loved the job once.

Over time, what I found to be the reality was the opposite. I was absorbing their negative energy and disgruntled attitude. And I was taking that on as my own identity. I found the best parts of me eroding, and I was slowly becoming the Negative Nellie... it wasn’t who I wanted to be.

I see it now within every crew in my fire district. Members absorb and take on each other’s personas and meld them together into one new one… each crew unique in their mannerisms, speech, and behavior based on the unique dynamics and personalities of each man on that crew… becoming one.

What I learned through that experience, and in working with different crews over the following years, is that the culture of a station matters.

In this week's newsletter, I explore how the people around you change you... for the better, or for worse. You can read that in less time than it takes to brush your teeth here:

https://fivearrowsforge.substack.com/p/the-men-around-you