Lessons Learned & Happy Bday Dad
Wednesday August 24, 2011
My Dad passed away in 1999 but I still miss him dearly & it still seems like yesterday at times. He loved getting together with the family & we had family stuff all the time. He was always the life of the party! He was a man that marched to the beat of his own drummer - he was a "misfit", as Carla wrote about HERE. Part of her post (PLEASE READ IT if you have not already) was a quote from another writer:
The funny thing about him was that he never fit into the conventional jobs he worked, yet pushed all of us 4 kids that way. He battled the Corporate image his whole life even as he worked in it. I am still not sure why he pushed us all in that direction even though we knew he disliked the crap that goes on in it. Honestly, you find find this crap everywhere.
Once he was at home though, it was all craziness with friends & family & everyone loved him - he was so much fun!
The lesson learned from this & I really want to speak to those that are still young or young enough to start over without financial craziness is:
Go after what you love & know you can live with long term - just like a fitness program. If you fight it & just "do something that you think is expected of you", well, years later, you may come to regret it. I know it is hard at times but long term, you will be a much happier person for it. If this message reaches just one person, I will be happy. If it reaches more - even better!
I am not saying you can't do this later in life too. Believe me, I tried & am trying BUT the older you get, the more "things" can get in the way like children, finances, your own insecurities & mind!
Lesson learned - March to the beat of your own drummer. It may be hard at first BUT you will be a much happier person for it long term! Don't forget to read MizFit's post which by the way is titled, "Are you a square peg"!
So, are you a square peg? Do you march to the beat of your own drummer? What lessons have you learned along the way about following your own heart?
PS: If you want to see my last year post on my dad, click here.
“The only courage you ever need is the courage to live your heart’s desire.” - Oprah
My Dad passed away in 1999 but I still miss him dearly & it still seems like yesterday at times. He loved getting together with the family & we had family stuff all the time. He was always the life of the party! He was a man that marched to the beat of his own drummer - he was a "misfit", as Carla wrote about HERE. Part of her post (PLEASE READ IT if you have not already) was a quote from another writer:
It’s not that every misfit accomplishes something fundamentally unexpectedly awesome…But it’s also probable that most things unexpected, radical, and breathtakingly awesome take just a little bit of nonconformity; just a little bit of dissatisfaction with “the way things are.”
My dad really was a "unique character". He was one of those guys that when you were little, you were embarrassed by his antics because you wanted to fit in & he was , well, "him". Then as you aged, you loved every little bit of that uniqueness & quirkiness & craziness!!! You loved that he could just be him!The funny thing about him was that he never fit into the conventional jobs he worked, yet pushed all of us 4 kids that way. He battled the Corporate image his whole life even as he worked in it. I am still not sure why he pushed us all in that direction even though we knew he disliked the crap that goes on in it. Honestly, you find find this crap everywhere.
Once he was at home though, it was all craziness with friends & family & everyone loved him - he was so much fun!
The lesson learned from this & I really want to speak to those that are still young or young enough to start over without financial craziness is:
Go after what you love & know you can live with long term - just like a fitness program. If you fight it & just "do something that you think is expected of you", well, years later, you may come to regret it. I know it is hard at times but long term, you will be a much happier person for it. If this message reaches just one person, I will be happy. If it reaches more - even better!
I am not saying you can't do this later in life too. Believe me, I tried & am trying BUT the older you get, the more "things" can get in the way like children, finances, your own insecurities & mind!
Lesson learned - March to the beat of your own drummer. It may be hard at first BUT you will be a much happier person for it long term! Don't forget to read MizFit's post which by the way is titled, "Are you a square peg"!
So, are you a square peg? Do you march to the beat of your own drummer? What lessons have you learned along the way about following your own heart?
PS: If you want to see my last year post on my dad, click here.
Posted by truth2beingfit at 8/23/2011 8:59 PM 
Categories: Inspirational Quotes, Life, Motivation/Support, Awareness, Inspiration, Happiness, Family, Life Experiences, Acceptance
Tags: acceptance accomplishments awareness family Happiness inspiration inspirational quotes life experiences motivation lessons learned Oprah
Categories: Inspirational Quotes, Life, Motivation/Support, Awareness, Inspiration, Happiness, Family, Life Experiences, Acceptance
Tags: acceptance accomplishments awareness family Happiness inspiration inspirational quotes life experiences motivation lessons learned Oprah
yes yes yes you KNOW I AM
happy birthday to your dad.
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Carla, you done it right!
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Lovely tribute to your dad!
I like being somewhat offbeat. It keeps people guessing.
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Thx Cammy! Yes, keep them guessing!!!
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What a wonderful and thought provoking post.
I am happy at what I chose, thankfully it was my husband who got me into the field that I am when we first met; otherwise, I'd have no clue what I'd be doing now. I doubt I'd be making this much $$$.
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Thx Sheri! Glad you got it right for you!
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I hope your message reaches one person too, Jody!
You were fortunate to have had such a wonderful dad!
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Thx DR. J!!!!!!!!!
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Happy b-day to your dad! He looks like a hoot!
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Thx Sian - he was!
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Hello Jody,
Your post really touches my heart, as I have been dealing with my aging father's health issues. It's not easy as I'm sure you already know.
Your dad sounds like such a cool man, and such fun to be around. I like to be that way too!
Your advice to "younger" people is spot on. I advise my daughters this way constantly. "Follow your heart, NOW. Don't allow yourself to become bogged down with responsibilities and try to do it later. As you say, it can be done, but it is certainly more of a challenge to do so. I am like you, I am working hard to do it and I believe I will, but it takes a bit longer than I'd like for it to.
A very good post, and I tahnk you for it.
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Thank you Keith & thx for commenting! Hope your dad heals!
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What a beautiful tribute to your Dad Jody. I'm sure he's smiling down on you!
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Thank you Roz!!!
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Jody, those pics are truly wonderful. I didn't know my father, so it's always a treat to hear a daughter share happy memories about their daddy.
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Josie, I am thankful to have had him as long as I did.. reading your comment brings that home even more!
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Ah...thank you so much for sharing...your Dad sounds a lot like mine. So special. And in answer to your questions, yes and yes and I have learned that following your own heart is both super easy and incredibly valuable!
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Thx Karen!
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This was a wonderful tribute to your dad. He must have been very special.
I think I beat to my own drum as well,just do my own thing even if it's not the norm for everyone else.
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