Seek To Be Wise

Growing up in a strong, stable household, my parents were always supportive and present in everything my brothers and I did. They set such a positive example for us to work hard, be kind, and love big. And while both of them are inspirational and amazing in their own ways, my dad has always been the one to say the right thing at the right time. Here are some life lessons he has taught me in my 26 years. 

Life is all about experiences 

My parents always made an effort to get us out of the house to experience new things and visit new places. Because of this, my family is really close and loves getting together on weekends and holidays– despite us living in three different cities. 

I learned early on that I’d rather do things instead of have things. The more people you meet, cultures you experience, and places you go, the more patience and understanding you’ll have of the world. 

Don’t worry about things you can’t control 

To be completely candid, there was a time in my life, around 8 years old, when I had chronic nightmares. Thoughts of “what if?” and “what will happen when?” would keep me up at night.

One thing that my dad reiterated over and over again stuck with me. He simply reminded me that we can’t worry about things we can’t control. It was a lesson that I needed to hear and continue to remind myself of every day. If I can’t do anything about it, there’s no sense in spending time worrying.

If you aren’t happy, do something about it 

In life, we are going to come across situations, experiences and seasons that don’t fulfill us. While sometimes the situations are out of our control, there are things we can do to make ourselves happier in that current season of life. 

When I called my parents crying because I hated my previous job, my dad was the first person to reach out to his network for opportunities. He would send me job listing after job listing, and offered to help me re-write my resume to get out of my current role. The moral of the story is that if you aren’t happy, make an effort to improve your experience. 

Be a reliable resource 

Ever since I can remember, my dad has been behind the wheel, taking my family and friends to and from all over. When I left for college and would come home on the weekends, it became clear just how much my dad missed his kids and how important it was for him to spend any chance he could get with us. To this day, he offers to drive my friends and me everywhere to ensure we have a safe and comfortable ride– and to catch up on what we’ve all got going on. 

My dad has taught me through his actions just how important it is to be reliable. To answer when someone picks up the phone. To be there when someone needs a hand. To jump in the car when someone needs a ride. 

Have a sense of humor 

Life doesn’t need to be that serious. Sure, there is a time and place for everything, and knowing how to read a room is a critical life skill. But, ultimately, knowing when to laugh and dust yourself off will get you far. 

My dad has always been a jokester who repeats himself too often and never takes himself too seriously. However, at the same time, he’s a big, soft teddy bear who always provides a comforting shoulder to cry on and tells you what you need to hear. From him, I’ve learned that you can be both. Have a sense of humor but also carry yourself with grace– and remember that life is short.