A Little Wisdom From Our Dads
June 18, 2010, By Craig J. Heimbuch 0 comments
My dad used to say the funniest things. "Chemistry makes the world go around" and "Numbers are a plaything" were two that made him chuckle with glee. Not advice exactly, but wisdom that reflected something of the way he viewed the world. His advice was much more poignant and has had a lasting impact our (my sisters' and my) lives. One piece in particular has stayed with me. He said, "It is always better to do than to have." And he was right. It may be why I don't have a 60' plasma on my wall, but it is also the reason I have had such a fulfilling, rich life.
This Father's Day, we thought we would take some time to reflect on the best advice our dads ever gave the people who help make ManoftheHouse.com go. From our featured contributors to people around the office, we think there is some wisdom in here for every one.
Happy Father's Day.
Wisdom from Our Contributors' Dads
“Try to control your temper. If it feels really good to say, then don't.” -Jeff Pugh, Managing Editor, ManoftheHouse.com
"Anything tastes better if you put enough butter, cream, and sugar on it." - Sally Hogshead
“Don't be the guy who hates your job. You have to spend a quarter of your life doing it. It doesn't matter how much money you end up making, do what you love.” -Josh Kotzowitz
"Son, no one likes a lazy man." -Ron Mattocks
“My father once grabbed my hand and explained to me the value of a firm handshake. ‘Never make your handshake soft and weak,’ he said, ‘yet never go for authoritative or bone-crushing, either.’ Instead, just aim for a simple balance between strong and caring. He said it would make a healthy, respectful impression, one that would speak volumes about my character, and he was right. Without saying a word, I have been able to show those I meet who I am: a man of substance, integrity, sincerity and passion. Although seemingly basic, his advice has given me more than he could have ever imagined.” - Kurt Simonsen
“While most guys see Father's Day as a time to give Dad some well-deserved gratitude, I also see it as an opportunity to think back on what I did during the previous year. Growing up, my Dad's advice was to do something for the man I will be in the future so that I can look back and appreciate how my hard work has paid off. Every Father's Day, I think about his advice and I try to make sure that the previous year was one that I didn't regret.” -Taurus Londoño
“My father wasn't much on giving advice until I became an adult and he got older. On my wedding day, he gave me just one piece of advice to take with me as I started a new family. As I was putting on my tuxedo, my dad said that he knew he wasn't the most perfect dad in the world. He begged me not to pass on the mistakes he made in raising me to my own children. It was the closest I've ever seen the man come to crying in my entire life.” -William Browning
"’Credit cards are the devil.’ Those were the words with which my Dad sent me off to college. Although I didn't follow his advice for the first few years of my adulthood, I quickly discovered that he was right. My wife and I don't carry credit cards at all. Every time one of those solicitation envelopes arrives in the mail, Dad's voice sounds in my head like an obnoxious cowbell, and the envelope goes in the trash unopened.” -Steve Thompson
“When I was a young man, I had some instances when I got into fights a time or two. This was usually when I got so angry that I just exploded. My father had some words of wisdom for me that I still remember today:
‘Never go into action when you are mad or angry because when you do, 98 percent of the time you're going to mess up.’
He was right. Over the years, I've avoided many unpleasant things just by calming down before I act. I take a walk, play my guitar or watch something that will make me laugh -- anything to get my mind off what I'm mad about. So far so good. Thanks, Dad.” - Karl Withakay
“My father was a man of strong emotions and few words. He believed that the more one spoke, the more obvious one's ignorance would become. So, combining his propensity for silence with his philosophy of nondisclosure of ignorance, his advice to me was this:
‘When in doubt, shut your mout!’ (sic)
I discounted this for years as an expression of his own view of himself, but have come to understand that there is, indeed, a place for silence, especially in the face of uncertainty. It is a lesson I would have done better to have taken seriously earlier in my life. However, as with so many things, better late than never.” -David A. Reinstein, LCSW
“I've always been a big baseball fan. When I was about 10, my father told me that no matter what happens, you cannot switch teams. This was pretty significant as we were Cubs fans. The White Sox were certainly looking better to me at the time, but I took his advice to heart. It's always stayed with me. Whether it's baseball, work or family, sometimes it's more important to show a little loyalty than to come out the winner every time.” - Phil Dotree
“My dad told me not to judge people by their appearance, to avoid the facile stereotypes of class and race and vocation and take the time to know each person as an individual. And he walked that walk himself. He gave me that advice when I was still young enough to make it part of my world view, and I've been grateful for it ever since.” - Jack Heffron
Wisdom from Dads Around the Office-
“I heard a good quote from a friend's dad recently. More a true fact
than a piece of advice, but maybe it will spark something. It was something to the effect of - ‘Nothing gets you up in the morning (motivated to go to work) like a
mortgage payment.’" -Ryan S.
“Two things: ‘The harder you work the luckier you get,’ and ‘Wear a condom.’” -David S.
“The word ‘can't’ should not be a part of your vocabulary. Mental toughness was a big learning point for my step-dad.” - Megan H.
“Go ask you mother.” -Susan D.
“‘Pay yourself first.’ This means, when you get your paycheck (whether from mowing lawns or selling a company), put money away in savings first. Then pay bills, buy things, etc.” - Sean B.
"You're not the first person to have a broken heart. We've all had one and we all got through it." - Kristin S.
“All wheel drive is not all wheel stop.” - Jodi G.
