10 Lessons from a Dad to his Girls!

Naturally our parents or those who have raised us, have more years under their belt containing a hefty amount of experiences. Bruse Feiler and what he refers to as “The Council of Dads,” wrote these 10 lessons in life that he introduced as 10 Lessons from a Dad to his Girls. Coming from a mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandparent or friend, these lessons are helpful to all of us and if we stick to living with awareness, we will be lucky enough to learn and experience them along the way.

Enjoy!

1. Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist – A tourist takes the easy road. A traveler seeks out the challenging path. A tourist stays on the bus. A traveler jumps in the mud.

2. Always Pack Your Flip-Flops – In college, a friend and I backpacked across Asia and got kicked out of the great hotels because he refused to wear anything but tank tops and flip-flops. Twenty years later, though he wears a suit during the day, he still wears flip-flops whenever he can. We would still get kicked out of those hotels. Not surprisingly, he’s my most loyal friend. Whatever you do, be true to yourself. Wherever you go, always pack your flip-flops.

3. Don’t Give in To the Wall- Dream big. And when you encounter a wall, find a way to get over it, around it, or under it. Whatever you do, don’t succumb to it. Don’t give into the wall.

4. Tend Your Tadpoles – When I was a boy I caught tadpoles with a friend. Like those tadpoles, we grew legs and hopped off into the world. I had little in common with that friend. Later, when I needed help, my friend was suddenly back. Tend your tadpoles. You never know when you might need a pal.

5. Live the Questions – Have patience with the unknown. No matter where you find yourself, if you ask questions, you’ll find your way. Don’t only seek the answers. Try to love the questions. And the point is to love everything you do. Live the questions.

6. Harvest Miracles – Life is full of everyday miracles. Sometimes it just takes a bad situation to help appreciate them. Even when it’s cloudy, keep looking for the rainbow.

7. Use Your Words – When you were toddlers, we begged you, “Use your words.” Yet sometimes we forgot to take our own advice. Even when you’re older, don’t hide behind silence. When you face a problem, talk it through.

8. Always Learn to Juggle on the Side of a Hill – When I was 12, I learned to juggle on the side of a gravel hill with oranges. Every time I dropped an orange it would hit the ground, pulpify, and role to the bottom of the incline. It was fool’s errand. But it worked! If you’re going to try something, try it. Don’t half commit.

9. Take a Walk with a Turtle – In Paris, centuries ago, a new type of pedestrian appeared. He was called a flaneur, one who strolled the arcades. Flaneurs liked to take turtles for walks and let the reptile set the pace. It’s a perfect ode to slow-moving. Don’t be in a hurry. Behold the world in pause.

10. Hug the Monster – Pilots learn that when they face a life-defining challenging, they should not run from their fear. They should embrace it. Hug the monster. Wrestle your fear into submission. Redirect it into a source of resilience and purpose.

Take trips. Take chances. Take off.

Love,
Lianda