What My Dad Taught Me About Living Well

Seven Reflections on Discipline, Creativity, and Becoming Yourself

My wise, talented, funny, and loving father says that Sunday is a disciplined day for him. In my experience of Dad, I think every day is a day of discipline! He is the most focused person I know, and he has a daily list of everything that’s got to be done.

Some could argue that’s not the best way forward. What about going with the flow? What about spontaneity? What about just having a day off? After all, not everyone is built the same way.

He’s an early riser. He likes his routine. I resisted owning the fact that I even had a routine for most of my life, perhaps that was my daughterly rebellion coming out! But of course, I do have a routine. It’s not as scheduled as Dad’s, but I have my way through each day. Most of us do, at some level.

What’s important is to find YOUR best way for you.

Something he does that I think is a very good plan is that he reflects on what he did, or didn’t do, during the week. I would amend that to include: how did you feel during the week? What triggered you? What brought you joy? How could you have responded differently?

And then he thinks about the coming week. I look in my old-school paper Filofax, which I find so satisfying. I love paper. I love writing things down with my purple Bic pen. Before I go to bed, I look at what the next day has scheduled, and then I can rest easy, not wondering.

Dad loves speaking to everyone, friends and strangers, and likes to share his thoughts with them. I guess I am just a chip off the ol’ block, because I like to blog every week and share what’s on my mind too.

But today, I thought I’d share Dad’s list with you, because he makes good sense… most of the time!

1.   Isolation will destroy you. Find a way to get outside of yourself.

2.   Your gifts will make room for you. The Creator gave you unique gifts that you are meant to share with the world. Your job is to find out what those are and savagely share them without apology.

3.   If you don’t ever quit you can’t ever lose. This doesn’t mean you don’t change approaches, tactics, or strategies. It means you keep adapting and moving forward.

4.   Spend five minutes a day telling yourself all of the reasons why you love yourself.

5.   The most important thing to master is yourself.

6.   Create more than you consume. Creativity is the path to freedom, liberation and God. You were literally put on this planet to be a creative being.

7.   We’re all trying to figure out this game of life. Most things that seem consequential will actually be forgotten in years or decades (at most). Give yourself more grace. You’re learning.

If you have a higher calling, follow it.  Our world seems to be more befuddled than ever, dangerously so.  Praying can’t hurt.  Writing a letter to your congressman may be a waste of time, but who knows?  It’s better than doing nothing. 

Thanks Dad. And yes, taking action, one small action is better than doing nothing. You have the capacity to create a day of joy.  Spend your first 5 minutes calling in joy! It will set you up for a great day. 

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