It’s May the fourth, twenty-twenty-three. Here’s an obligatory Star Wars post.

I remember watching episodes three to six on VHS, back in the day. I was captivated when Obi-Wan first described “the force.” Every child imagines having superpowers. When you’re young, nothing is cooler than being a Jedi. You can jump high, use telekinesis, and have a lightsabre. But as you get older, reality settles in. Eventually, I forgot about the force. It wasn’t until my son was born, that I thought maybe, Obi-Wan was on to something.

Instincts. Intuition. Interconnectedness.

When you have kids, you evolve. You don’t just gain responsibilities, additional expenses, or the ability to function on four hours of broken sleep. Instincts develop. Intuition, which is hardwired into your brain, becomes activated. Although this isn’t the same as the force a Jedi taps into, I believe the metaphor is still there. The more you pay attention, the stronger the force becomes. You develop a sense of connectedness, not just to your child, but to your spouse, your family and your surroundings. This makes you a better Father, Husband and person to be around.

In the current day and age, it feels like we are losing touch with the force. Social media, screen time, burnout, and economic and political instability have led to epidemics in mental health, loneliness and division. I think the way we move past these obstacles is to go through them and find ways to reconnect with ourselves, our community and our surroundings. Take a page from the Jedi handbook. Train your mind. Train your body. Cultivate inner peace, stillness, and strength through physical and mental training. The road may be difficult, but it’s possible. May the force be with you.

SG