Dear Little Miss:
Little Miss—that’s what we’ve been calling you lately. While your mom and I are highly confident about your name, we want to meet you before making it official. And what a great surprise it’ll be when we finally introduce you to the world.
It’s hard to believe that, in just a few days, I’ll hold you in my arms for the first time. I imagine looking down into your eyes and seeing in them the reflection of infinite possibility.
Like many prospective parents, your mom and I struggled with the notion of bringing a child into a world beset by so much strife. Even as our technology leaps forward, humanity is regressing intellectually, ethically, and spiritually. The pointless pursuit of profit has poisoned a polarized populace into accepting the lie that economic prosperity and social and environmental sustainability are mutually exclusive. An obsession with short term gain is compromising humanity’s collective ability to thrive—if not survive—in the long term. Meanwhile, the climate crisis continues, poverty abounds, and socioeconomic injustice prevails. Spurred by an increasingly manipulative media environment, millions have chosen hate, ignorance, and cynicism over love, curiosity, and optimism.
It’s hard to believe that, in just a few days, I’ll hold you in my arms for the first time. I imagine looking down into your eyes and seeing in them the reflection of infinite possibility.
As a girl dad, I’m infuriated by the efforts of weak, backward men to strip you of your right to work, vote, and even control your own body. And I’m terrified by the rampant violence against women our society permits—and perpetuates—because I won’t always be around to protect you. But while I’m here, it’s my job as the first man in your life to demonstrate what a good man is—while preparing you to face the bad ones.
In spite of my fatherly fears around bringing a child into an imperfect world, I’ve learned that hope is a choice—and, for me, that hope is you.
As humans, our actions generate positive or negative effects that ripple well beyond our years. I choose to hope that a better, more beautiful future is possible—even if I may never see it. Knowing that you could is enough.
Becoming a father has buttressed my determination to continue my work as a sustainability professional—a way of ensuring that my ripples are net positive for this world.
Sustainability has always been about protecting life and all that we love. And while much of humanity has lost its way—consumed by our ancient superstitions, petty divisions, and primal myopathy—I believe that we can find our way back to our true nature: altruism. We aren’t the strongest species—nor are we necessarily the smartest. We’ve survived over the eons because of our ability to look out for one another—as evidenced by the fact that babies are born in such a helpless state. The capacity for selfless care is coded into our DNA.
In spite of my fatherly fears around bringing a child into an imperfect world, I’ve learned that hope is a choice—and, for me, that hope is you.
That’s why I believe that we can create a fairer, freer society that exists in harmony with nature—while ensuring that everyone reaches their full potential. For me, that’s what sustainability is all about.
My work is far from done. If I’m lucky, I still have a little more than half a life to live. And I’ll spend every second that I’m gifted trying to be the best dad I can be—while working to make this world better for you and the millions of others who’ll inherit what we leave behind. I hope you’re proud of your dad for striving to be one of the good guys in a time when so much villainy prevailed. And I hope that you’ll always strive to be one of the good gals, too.
As you grow into the strong, sweet person I know you’ll become, here are a few things I’ve learned to help you along the way:
Stay true to yourself, always. Nobody can tell you who you are or what you’re capable of. But be humble enough to understand your limits—while seeking to expand them through study, practice, and trial-and-error. Embrace failure as a friend, teacher, and guide—perfection isn’t possible, and not really the point, anyway. But if you’re going to do something, pursue it with commitment and care. Seek self-sufficiency, but know that asking for help is a sign of uncommon strength. Expect nothing to be given to you, and work hard for everything you have—but never take more than you need. No amount of money is worth sacrificing your principles or soul. Seek to lift up others—not step over them, and certainly never on them. Be curious, always. Read. Travel. Appreciate humanity’s diverse cultures, histories, and creeds. Spend time outside exploring nature and all its wonders. Always stop to pet the dog.
And know that wherever life takes you, your dad will always be your champion, protector, and friend.
Your mom and I have spent the past many months preparing for your arrival. Your nursery is freshly painted, and your cute, little clothes are neatly folded in the dresser I spent half a Saturday assembling. And despite your ceaseless evening acrobatics, we suspect that Lincoln—your soon-to-be best furry friend—still has no clue that you’re coming. I’ve no doubt that he’ll step up to the job as your bodyguard, garbage disposal, and partner-in-crime.
Unlike Lincoln, I’m fully aware of the new role that awaits me—the most exciting and consequential of my life. In preparation, I’ve devoured books, taken classes, and probed parents in my personal and professional networks for advice. I want to make sure I get this right.
I never knew that my heart could tremble so much for someone I haven’t yet met. See you soon, my Little Miss.
Love,
Dad
Dear readers: I’ll be taking a break from The Sustainability Story for the remainder of June to spend time bonding with my baby girl and supporting my wife. In the meantime, I invite you to check out my new book, Sustainability Storytelling: Communicate Trust, Brand Value and Better Business, now available globally.
This is so beautiful and heartfelt, Mike. You will be a wonderful Dad!
What a wonderful love letter to your daughter. She is lucky to have both of you.