Things I Learned from My Dad

My dad is a colorful character. At 73, he still works 14 hour days, six days a week. He raised 8 kids (7 boys and a girl), and now has 14 grandkids. He’s been married to my mother for 50 years. 

He bought his first business before he was 25, which he recently sold, and has owned his second business for 35 years. He started his working career as a carpenter. (His middle name is Jesus, I’m not  kidding.) He rebuilt a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang in his garage and had a stint as a professional singer (in both English and Spanish). He survived  a quintuple bypass heart operation.  I’ve heard him listen to music from  Billy Idol to Rimsky-Korsakov. He has a garden of which he is very proud of as well as a fish pond that he spends an inordinate amount of time trying to keep clean.

Clearly, he’s learned a few things, some of which he’s taught me and some of which I picked up  by watching him. In honor of Father’s Day, here’s a few things I learned from my father, who we affectionately refer to as “Pops”:

Work

• Don’t make the job more important than the reason for doing it.
• If you need to get the job done, sometimes you need to stay up all night to do it.
• If you enjoy doing the job, you won’t mind staying up all night.
• Don’t do a half-assed job, do it right so you can take pride in it.
• You need to have a good balance of working with both your hands and your head.
• Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
• Favorite saying: “Get it done or I will cloud up and rain all over you.”

Lifestyle

• Keep a clean house, don’t be a slob.
• Put if back where you got it from. (There’s a place for  everything and everything in its place.)
• Take good care of your stuff and it will last you a long time.
• Don’t walk around barefoot if you have toenails that look like claws. Cut the damn things.
• People will show you more respect  if you dress well.
• Life’s to short to wear uncomfortable clothing.
• You don’t need a bunch of fancy products to wash your car, all you need is a hose and a towel. Also, it helps to have kids to do it for you.
• Listen to music every day. Don’t listen to it too loud or you’ll lose your hearing. Once in a while is ok, though.
• Learn how to tell a joke and know a lot of good ones. A sense of humor is essential.
• So is an occasional stiff drink.
• Favorite saying: “Be careful.”

Children

• Trust that your child will come into the world with a loaf of bread under it’s arm.
• Teach them manners and to be respectful. It’s a reflection on you.
• You gotta keep your kids busy.
• Kids don’t need to get everything they want.
• Having kids is what you have to go through to get grandkids.
• Sometimes you have to  forgive or apologize  even if you don’t want to. Don’t let pride get in the way.
• Family is very important.
• Favorite saying: “I’ve forgotten more than you’ll ever know.”

Dealing with People

• Most of the time you can get people to do what you want by being  pleasant, saying please, and winning them over with a smile.
• Sometimes, though, you have to yell really loud to get people moving.
• Many people are looking for someone to teach and guide them.
• When you meet a person, look them in the eye and shake their hand. Show good manners.
• Favorite saying:  ”Do you see milk dribbling out of the side of my mouth?”

Life’s Challenges

• Don’t let yourself get defeated by a problem. Ask yourself  ”How can I solve this problem?” There is always a solution. Get really good at solving problems.
• Use your imagination to deal with problems. Look around and ask yourself, “What resources are available to me that I can use to solve this quickly?” It might be some tape, a stick, some wire or it might be someone you can call.
• Sometimes, when your back is up against the wall, you must get mean.
• Prayer. Have faith that God will see you through.
• Favorite saying:  ”You don’t want people to say about you “He couldn’t fight his way out of wet paper bag.”

Good Advice

• Don’t take any wooden nickels.
• There are a lot of people walking around with their thumb up their butt and their finger in their ear. Don’t be one of those people.
• Pay attention!!
• Favorite saying: “The angle of the dangle is equal to the heat of the …” on second thought, let’s skip this one.
• Don’t let ‘em get to you.

Thanks Dad. And Happy Fathers Day to all Dads out there.

If you liked this post, please leave a comment and/or share it with your social networks.  

Tman

 Ted A. Moreno

Personal/Small Business Coach

Certified Hypnotherapist

Specializing in Your Success

www.TedMoreno.com                                                                       

 (626) 826-0612

 

Advertisement