I spent this last weekend with my 84-year-old Dad. My relationship with him has not always been an easy one. Growing up I thought my Dad was the bomb, he had the Midas touch and everything turned to gold. In my later years, I haven’t always agreed with the decisions that he has made. But the more time that goes by, the more I admire his drive and how he has overcame the obstacles in his life.
Lesson 1 – Never let others make decisions for you.
My Dad worked for George and George, a safety equipment company for over 20 years. The owner of the company was having some financial trouble, and decided that at 76 years of age, it was time for my Dad to retire. They threw Dad a party, gave him a flat screen TV and wished him well. My Dad loves to work; he loves his customers and taking care of them. He immediately went to work for a competing company and most of his customers followed him there. At 84, my Dad is still working today.
Lesson 2 – Always try new things
My Dad was 76 when I bought him his first computer. He not only learned to use his computer and e-mail, but he now is using LinkedIn and Facebook (and I shudder to know what else). I hope I will always be as open to learn and try new things.
Lesson 3 – Take responsibility for your decisions and mistakes
My Dad had a mid-life crisis when he turned 50, and after some very bad choices, found himself fired, broke, divorced, and moving alone to another state. He was totally starting over. My Dad worked hard and built a successful sales business. Just this weekend, my Dad said, “I have no one to blame but myself for the mess I got myself into.” I love that about him.
Lesson 4 – Save money for a rainy day
My Dad is a spender; I guess he thought he would work forever (and so far he has). He didn’t plan for retirement and has NO savings. I think because of this, I’ve become a planner and a saver, my Dad’s lack of saving stresses me out. I watch my Dad and he has not a worry in the world. He has his daily routines and he is happy and loving his life. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.
As I was driving to Oklahoma last week to pick my Dad up, I was surfing radio stations. In the Midwest the Christian radio stations are plentiful. A sermon about “Worry” caught my attention. I loved the message, when you worry, you are not trusting God (or Higher Power, or Source, or the Universe, etc). I realized that my Dad lives his life worry free. He trusts that he will have everything he needs, that he will be taken care of and as he puts it, “The Man upstairs must have a plan for your old Dad”. This may be one of the best lessons of all.
Adventure Toward Freedom 