Posts Tagged "life"

Life’s challenges, the spirit of a dad and a candle burning bright

Posted by Dad on Dec 11, 2008 in Family | 2 comments

Disclaimer: Some of you may find this post heartbreaking. I know I did.

They say that life has it’s ups and downs and we should learn to expect it. The reality, however, is that we never expect it and it hurts like hell when life seems to take a nosedive. A friend and fellow dad is living through one of those times. He doesn’t know that his strength of spirit that is seeing him through this is also teaching others about what it means to be a father, husband and, ultimately, a human being.

My friend is a caring person. He’s a professional at work and an honest-to-God family man at home. He’s been a mentor and a friend to me for the four years I’ve known him. And if you saw him in the street, you would not know that this was a man that gives so much. You would, however, quickly see that he loves being a dad and he’s a darn good one.

It is for these reasons that it pained me so when my freind was recently laid-off from the job he’s done so well for so many years. It wasn’t a performance issue. It was simply a “reduction-in-force”- a procedure so in vogue recently. It’s cruel. It can turn your life upside down. However, my friend bore this with the strength of spirit he’s always had and turned to his family for support. You see, he defines himself more as a dad than as a professional. He will find another job.

The pain I felt when my friend lost his job pales in comparison to the horror I experienced when I learned that one of his sons passed away on Monday while undergoing a medical procedure. His son was in his early teens and lived with a handicap.

Although this tragedy would utterly crush most, my friend is again showing tremendous strength of spirit and holding his family together while grieving for their loss. I realize now that he is able to do this because he feels responsible to be “dad”, to take charge of the situation and try to make things better for the family. It’s a herculean effort but he’s doing it.

My friends, I don’t want to end this in a negative way. Instead, I want to share with you what my friend and his family already know, what all of those that knew his son already know. We know that although his son was with us a short time on this earth, he tought us all so much. A small boy, handicap from birth, didn’t care what you looked like or whether you had money or not. He hugged everyone and greeted you with a smile. He showed everyone that we can love each other even though we don’t know each other. He showed us we are brothers and sisters all living the human condition. He showed us not to let small things get us down.

In the end, he showed us how one person’s internal candle, burning bright, can make everyone else’s candle brighter.

It was an honor for me to have known you, my friend’s son, and thanks. My prayers, and I hope yours, are with my friend and his family during this time.

All the best

Great Recipe for a peace-filled life

Posted by Dad on Dec 8, 2008 in The Blog | 8 comments

I received this email that contained a great list. I thought I would pass it along to you with my best wishes.

Take a 10-30 minute walk(run) every day. And, while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a clock if you have to.
When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to ________ today. I am thankful for ______________________.”
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds and walnuts.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Don’te waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kids maxed out charge card.
Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
Forgive everyone for everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
GOD heals everything- but you have to ask Him.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: “I am thankful for ___________. Today I accomplished ________________.”
Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
when you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You’ll be smiling before you know it.

All the best

Typical family day

Posted by Dad on Nov 24, 2008 in Family | 2 comments

I’m working in Mexico City. I’m going to take a beating from a client that suffered poor service by my company. Oh well. I’m more concerned about catching my flight that will put me home at 9 pm tonight.

The CPA wife got the kids to school, is going to try to get a quick workout in and then continue to pack everyone, including me, so that we can leave tomorrow. We’re going to the mountains of North Carolina for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Kids will get home later and spend a long time doing today’s and tomorrow’s homework because they will lose a day of school.