10 Things My Dad Taught Me

My friend Tea & Sympathy inspired me with her own list (thank you!), so here's the list of things I learned from my father, in his sayings where possible:
1. Listen and ask questions -"The wise old owl who sat in the oak. The more he heard, the less he spoke. The less he spoke, the most he heard. Now wasn't he a wise old bird."
2. Sleeping well is required for living well- "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
3. Be a person of action-- "Think you can, think you can't. Either way you're right."
4. Be financially conservative. Avoid debt, things you can't afford, anything that's show-offy.
5. Be generous. It's a greater joy to give than to receive. Gifts matter.
6. Pursue knowledge. I've been listening to NPR and watching PBS since infancy. Developing curiousity is as great an advantage as intelligence.
7. Work hard. This is a man who hitchhiked to college with just one suitcase in hand.
8. Find ways to not take credit. I have found my car washed, my directions written, items fixed without any announcement of intent or completion.
9. Think long-term. When the possibility of draft arose, he enlisted first and chose finance corps which paved the way for a business future.
10. Remember where you come from. You're not too good for used shoes, cheap meals, or sweat inducing work.