Tribute to Dad

Here at Soulspring we spend a lot of time and focus on women. Having just celebrated Father’s Day, and with dads on our minds, we’d like to take the time to recognize the men who were instrumental in making us the women we are today; our fathers!

It’s really amazing everything we learn from our fathers. The “maybe not so important stuff” like not taking the first bite of an ice cream cone from the bottom, to the more important work ethic we carry into our first part-time jobs. I would say the most important though, is our fathers joining forces with our mothers to teach us about the kind of person we’d like to grow up to be. While I think back to everything I learned from my dad I can see as an adult how vital these tidbits of wisdom have been. Please allow me to share:

Never pass up the chance to strike up a conversation with a stranger. By observing my dad over the years I’ve come to discover the wonderful things that come from meeting new people. Maybe they have the scoop on the best place to find burgers in town, maybe they’ll offer to take you on a tour of the area, or maybe you’ll just walk away feeling happy that you had a connection with someone. Be friendly; not so difficult of a task, right? So next time you’re pumping gas or standing at the supermarket husking sweet corn, say hi to the person next to you.

Keep your sense of humor. I was blessed to get my Dad’s sense of humor. A little corny at times but we’re always the first and last ones laughing. Always look for the comedy in things and you’ll make life that much more fun.

Use a lot of paper when working through a problem. This originally started out to apply to algebra. My dad would constantly remind us to use a lot of paper and lay out the equation and our figuring in a neat and organized manner. But what about using this idea for all problems in life? Sit down and write your problem out…and use a lot of paper.

Never pass up an opportunity because of fear. I can think back to more than a few fun experiences we got to do all because Dad wasn’t afraid to go for it. When I feel myself sinking into fear I sometimes ask myself, “what would Dad do?” And more than likely the answer is, “he would have gone for it!”

Here’s to all the dads out there (especially our dad):
Thank you for all your love, support, and wisdom throughout the years. Thank you for raising such happy and empowered daughters. We love you and are so very blessed!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soul-spiration of the Week:
"The father who would taste the essence of his fatherhood must turn back from the plane of his experience, take with him the fruits of his journey and begin again beside his child, marching step by step over the same old road.” ~Angelo Patri