Top 5 Lessons from my Father

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

My dad has taught me a lot of things over the years.

Everything from a mean cross-over dribble in basketball that’ll make a defender fall on their keister, to how to handle online banking, to how to decode and respond to a guy’s text message with just the right amount of sass and interest.

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And I thought that today, on his birthday, I’d just reflect on a few of the classic lessons I’ve learned from my dad. (And perhaps a bad dad joke thrown in for good measure.)

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1. Perturb to learn.

I am a notorious people pleaser. As in, to a fault. I’ll go practically to physical harm in order to make another person happy or comfortable. So advocating for myself is…well…not something that comes naturally.

But my dad has always taught me never to be afraid of putting myself out there. Work hard, and don’t be afraid to ask the right questions. And sometimes you’ve gotta shake things up in order to make things happen. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, as he always says. 🙂

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2. You are who you are when no one is looking.

And this is one that he’s never really come right out and said. Be he communicates this through his actions. His generosity and charity are never broadcast or shown off. He is humble and strong. Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.

We were driving home from dinner downtown the other night, and there was this weathered, gaunt and wrinkled homeless woman. It was about 19 degrees outside, and my dad pulled the car over and went and gave her the meal we had gotten “to go” from the restaurant for lunch the next day. “Could you use a warm meal?” he said, as she just lit up and shed a tear in gratitude.

Little things go a long way.

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3. What’s black and white and red all over?

A wounded nun rolling down a hill. (dad joke)

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4. Invest in people, and they will invest in you.

Ah, the “emotional bank account deposit.” Growing up, my brothers and I used to give my dad so much crap for that little metaphor. We thought it was “Off the Richter” in cheesiness. But the older I get, the more I realize that he was right on the money. Everything goes back to relationships. And people remember how you treat them…and others.

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5. Lastly, he taught me that I am precious.

There are certain things that a daughter can only by taught by her father. And that is that she is a treasure.

A father’s love on earth is a reflection of The Father’s love in heaven.

We experience what it feels like to be protected. Taken care of. Fought for. Delighted in.

A daughter learns from her father that she is precious.

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So happy birthday, dad. I just don’t know what I did to deserve you as a father.

I am profoundly grateful for you, the one who taught me, through example, the deep and powerful love of God.

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197 thoughts on “Top 5 Lessons from my Father”

  4. Thanks for posting! There are so many things to be grateful for, like our fathers. I know some who either never knew their father, or wished they never did.

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    1. Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. You’re right. I know not everyone is blessed with a present or loving father. It makes me really sad to think about. I definitely don’t take him for granted. I have a lot to be grateful for. Thanks for stopping by. big hugs to you xox

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    1. Hahaha thanks Rebecca! Yeah, I asked my dad to tell me a joke this afternoon, and that was the one he said, and it definitely took me by surprise as well! Definitely not expecting that one! I laughed out loud for literally 3 minutes straight out of sheer shock value and then felt like a horrible person afterwards! hahahahaha oh gosh, I’m still laughing. 🙂 thanks for stopping by! hugs xox

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      1. Haha Dads are good at these things. I got to see mine yesterday, he’s recovering from foot surgery but was in good enough spirits to joke around 😂 (hugs)

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  9. Birthday blessings to your Dad! My two adult daughters are smart, beautiful and funny. Like you are to your Dad, precious ! I know he is so proud of you! And I know you taught him a few things on your dad / daughter journey!

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    1. Thank you Rick! I’ll pass those kind words along 🙂 Aw, yeah, I am so grateful to have such an awesome dad. Sounds like your daughters are pretty blessed as well in that department 😉 thanks for stopping by! hugs xox

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  10. I thought about St Joseph when I read your blog, His Solemnity is Monday 20 March (19 March falls on Sunday) this year. What makes my day are when my sons tell me I am a good father.

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  11. Your father is blessed to have a daughter like you. You have learned and live out that relationship of which you have only one chance to experience and grow here on earth. And you have a relationship with the only Father who gifted you two with a loving relationship. Again thanks for a beautiful post. Keep writing. John

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    1. Thanks John. I’m so blessed to him in my life. You’re right, God is the source of all things good in our lives, and I am so grateful to have such a loving dad. I appreciate you stopping by! hope you have a great night! hugs xox

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  13. As a dad with a daughter I can tell you your dad was proud, is proud and always will be proud of you. His pride is a reflection of God’s joy in who you are.

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  16. Happy birthday to your Dad! He made you more than he was expecting of you to become…. God Bless and Stay Safe.

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    1. Thanks Jeff! Yeah, we just got back from dinner a little while ago. Unfortunately my dad is under the weather today, so we’re having a big celebration on Saturday! Thanks! Looking forward to reading your thoughts! Hugs and love xox

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I would like to be like your dad. I didn’t grow up with anyone so I was like, how do I do…everything. I had a weird life, so it’s a big fear of most parents to not have an answer. To let them down.

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    1. Hi Kenzie, thank you for sharing this. That breaks my heart to hear that. It sounds to me like you’re doing everything right. You have such wisdom and insight and compassion. It’s sounds like you already are:) hugs xox

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      3. Awwww. Yes. I’m in LA. Some stories contain that perfect melancholy of life that love eventually, breaks. I just realized, maybe they both wanted to be loved but to feel love one must also love. It has a timelessness and social commentary sorry, haha. Yes, Friday.

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  22. We love the message way to give your father credit for all the great things hes done, and in such a funny way… Would love your thoughts on our latest short story called Eaten an Eskimo, your feedback is needed and is key for the success of this story

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  26. This is beautiful–Sending him birthday greetings from Alaska! Thank you for sharing his wisdom, and nunsense (note, those are GREAT plays!).

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  30. And…the most important lesson is…you are precious. No matter what the world says about you, the one thing we should never forget is that we are precious in the eyes of people who really matter to us. God created us as unique as the next guy beside us, so let us be proud of ourselves.

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  36. My dear friend,

    Your father was a very wise man 🙂
    He equipped you with tools to stand in the world upright. And as he invested in you, in daddy’s daughter – you too now invest in your father with honour, respect and love reciprocally – thats really wonderful – you have my full appriciation for it 🙂

    In this sense we can see the balance of give and take. So when we treat people in a friendly way we surely will ripe friendliness. And friendliness does not cost even anything but contributes a bit for a better world.

    Thanks for sharing and I am also happy that you had such lovely bond with your father.

    Hugs
    Didi

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    1. Thankyou so much Didi. You’re right, I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful father. And I so love that! Being friendly and kind costs nothing but has such a profound impact on the world. Thanks for the wonderful encouragement. Hope you have a lovely weekend! Hugs and love xox

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      1. As a Father of two, I want to say thank you for writing this! May you and your family continue to see God’s blessings all around you each day. Peace and love to you all.

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  38. Happy Birthday to your Dad! He reminds me so much of my own dad – Humble, hard-working, kind, strong, and always willing to talk to me and offer me advice. I’ve learned so much from him during my 28 years on this Earth! I can’t wait to see him on Sunday – He’s been traveling this week visiting his dad (who’s 91), and he’ll be gone again for basically the next two weeks – Church mission trip to North Carolina to do Hurricane Matthew flood relief/repair, and then back down south to see his dad and his sister (She postponed her trip down this week due to the weather – Smart woman).

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    1. Thank you so much Laura! I’ll definitely pass along the sentiments! I’m so glad you know that love of a father too 🙂 sounds like an incredible dad and person! Thanks for stopping by! I’ll definitely pray for his trips! Hugs and love xox

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  41. Hi, thank you for stopping by my blog post (Reflecting on a whole year). This post was so lovely to read – Top 5 lessons from my father, it’s nice to look back and reflect upon how much we have learnt from our parents.
    I hope we can follow each other and show some love and support towards each others blog and love for writing. thank you 🙂

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  47. Hi Beauty from the way beyond, Finally got around to checking out your blog. You are a blog super star. Your article about your father is very touching and full of gratitude and love. Thanks for your support also for a blogger that is clueless about exposure. Many blessings, Michael

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  48. Happy Birthday to your Dad and God Bless You for all that you have become from both your parents!! Its been a gift to hear about your Mom and now your Dad as well! I wish I had had that same experience (from Dad). You are so precious in this world!! Thank you too for reading my Celtic inspired work. I wrote it while listening to a Celtic Music performance last Sunday. Thank you for touching me with your inspirational shares!! You are more priceless than gold at the end of a rainbow. You are NYC’s treasure at the end of the rainbow there, as well as back in your native town!!

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    1. Thanks Migueltio! I will definitely pass along the well wishes. And gosh, what kind words, my friend. I am so touched and encouraged. Wow, sounds like it was a truly moving experience last Sunday! I’m glad you got to take part in that! big hugs xox

      Liked by 1 person

  49. The joke was a real groaner, and yes, I groaned with a smile on my face. A change I would suggest is “invest in the right people and they will invest in you.” There is no greater mortal love than that a parent has for a child, not matter what age that child grows to, a parent will always feel the need to nurture and protect. I gave every one of my daughter’s suitors “THE MISTER SPEECH” which goes like this “You seem like a nice young man and as long as my impression of you is true you have nothing to worry about. However, if you ever harm my daughter in any way shape or form, you best be looking over your shoulder as I will track you down and introduce you to pain you could not possibly imagine. Do we understand each other?” Worked pretty darn good, possibly because it was not an idle threat. 😉

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    1. Hahah thank you so much. Yeah a groaner indeed:) oooh I like that – the *right* people. How interesting. Hahha oh my gosh I love your mister speech! Sounds like you make things crystal clear:) way to go! Hugs and love xox

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  50. Thank you for following my blog. I appreciate it. You have been the most avid follower. Please let me know if there’s a subject I can write about for you.–Di

    On Thu, Mar 16, 2017 at 6:00 PM, BeautyBeyondBones wrote:

    > beautybeyondbones posted: “My dad has taught me a lot of things over the > years. Everything from a mean cross-over dribble in basketball that’ll make > a defender fall on their keister, to how to handle online banking, to how > to decode and respond to a guy’s text message with just th” >

    Like

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