My dad's pride in what I do is what helps me keep going. I remember before he died being at a family reunion and him introducing me to family members that I've never met as follows: "This is my son, he's gonna be big someday."

That's how I felt when my grandfather was still alive. He saw the world in me and it felt awesome to prove him right so often growing up.

After he passed, things changed and now it's almost the complete opposite fueling me now. I look at how close-minded, hateful, and worthless my parents are and bust my ass to prove to everyone that I'm not going to turn out like them.

channel your feelings into positive outcomes and then thank your parents for that.

What a great series of comments. I couldn't agree more with all of this.

A father who's proud of his son? What's that like? I imagine it could make a pretty big difference in one's motivation and outlook, but lack direct experience.

You can experience it from the other side.

Now, you will find it is rather harder than it looks. Maybe your father was truly lousy, there are some like that out there. But it won't hurt you to reserve the possibility of seeing him some generosity, at least until you have done better.

If someday you can say you've done better for your children than was done for you, you'll be saying a lot.

That statement resonates with me.

It makes you feel something inside. A belief that can't be matched.