See you later

This is not goodbye, it's see you later.

I went silent for a while but not away. I wanted to send out one more newsletter before this site is completely changed, same theme just a different approach.

I wanted to thank all of you who have continued to believe in me and send there well wishes. Here is my see you later note.

A little while ago I came across an article that asked the reader if they knew they were terminally ill and only had six months left ( a bit morbid) what information would you want to leave for your kids?  Write that down and share it with them now. 

So here it is, in no particular order. 

The best thing I could ever leave you with are some hard learned and  heart-felt lessons.  Most of what I’m going to  share with you are things I had to learn myself, mostly through trial and error, and from my mistakes.  Many of these lessons  I am still learning.

I wished someone had told me these things, or maybe they had, but I didn’t listen.

Try to remember that in the end the best result that we can ask for is to receive the “ well done good and faithful servant”  from our Creator as a result of a life well lived.

I know this is a cliche, “but life is short”  Start working towards your dreams, goals and ideas as soon as you can, don’t delay.  Go, see, do. 

If you don’t know what you want start asking yourself questions like:

• What do I do well?

• What kind of life do I want?

• Who do I admire? Why?

• What would I like to see or experience?

• What activities do I get lost in?  

• What stirs my mind?

• Who can I help? 

• Or, Do I need someone's help?

Write those things down.

Do more of what you do well.

I would rather see that you tried and failed, rather than you look back on your life with regret saying “I wish I had…”   

Don’t do that to yourself.  Try.  If you fail it’s a lesson, it’s just data to help you next time.  You’re not a failure, what you tried didn’t work, just try something else.

Ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen?   If I try _______,   What’s the worst that can happen?  If you can live with the worst case scenario then take action towards that goal, idea or dream.

You get to choose what you put effort into in life, you can choose to do something or choose to do nothing.  It’s up to you.

You have just today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t here yet.  What good can you do today? Your life is made up of all the little things you do each day. Do them well.

Celebrate your successes, a little pat on the back as you go along will encourage you to continue.  Celebrate other people’s achievements too, they like that.

We live in an amazing time filled with all kinds of opportunities.  Yes, there are problems, there will always be problems,  “that’s life”.  Solving problems is just a part of life.

That gives you  a vast amount of things to work on.

Try to leave this world a little better than how you found it.  If you can figure out a way to help people help themselves, that’s a bonus.

Consistent effort is what gets things done, ideas, dreams, concepts are just in your head until you do something.  

Always be in a learning mode.  If you think you know everything you’re headed down the wrong road.  

Be curious, not judgemental. 

Everyone knows something you don’t know.  To find out what they know you have to ask questions.  If you stop asking questions you stop learning.

Also, If you don’t ask for something the answer is always NO. 

Remember to treat people well, most people are good, treat them with respect and kindness. 

With the not so good people, try to be the better person and if possible forgive them. 

Promptness and manners are a form of respect, be on time, say please and thank you.

Be grateful in all things.  Easy to say, hard to do.  Try to do it anyway.

Family matters.  This can be a challenge, make the effort.  I didn’t have a good example to share with you, so you have to become the example for the next generation.  Send the e-mail, make the call, send a text, remember birthdays, remember what others like, send a thank you note and make time for each other. This works for friends as well.

Communication is vital, almost all of my problems stem from bad communication.  It is worth the time and effort to learn to write, speak and think clearly and well.  Ben Franklin (autobiography),Dale Carnegie (How to win friends and influence people), Bill Zinsser (On writing well) and Richard Feynman(The Feynman technique)  have written about this and are worth looking up.  

If you can stay calm, absorb criticism and possibly insults, and not let your emotions take control, you will be ahead  of many and you will go much further than if you argue(I’m still working on this).

You have tremendous potential and so do the people around you.  Find the best in everyone and help bring it out.  Be someone who uplifts and encourages others.

Remember  your family, friends,coworkers, coaches, teachers and teammates can bring out your best, so can  your competition.  Embrace those who help you be your best.

A friend is someone who brings out the best in you, it could be your “enemy”.

The world is filled with people, most are good, some are bad.  Along the way you’ll meet both kinds and have to deal with them.

Figure out a way that works for you and use it.

As the ancient text says “Be not afraid, I go before you always.”  Remember WHO’S  you are.

Find the people that lift you up and train your mind to deal with those who will put you down or hold you back.  There is no avoiding negative people, there is only your response, how are you going to react?  Will you let it bother you or not?

People matter more than things.  As time goes on you’ll see that relationships are more important than things.  Develop a handful of strong relationships, have people you can talk to about anything and will listen.  Be that person for others.

“Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.” 

It’s a good rule of thumb, ask yourself – how I would want to be treated and then treat the other person that way.

Always try to do your best.  I think there is a misconception in the world that “you can do anything” that’s not correct.  You have certain God given talents and abilities.  Figure out what they are and pursue them and use them.  Then you will be at your best.

Money is just a tool, a useful tool, but just a tool.  Do not hoard it, there is no point being the richest person in the graveyard.  Use it to enrich your life and all the people around you. 

Do not be naive or foolish, there are things that need to be planned for and saved for. 

Understand how money works.  Here are four quick items:

• Taxes - It is one of the largest expenses you will pay, do everything you legally can to pay the lowest amount.

• Inflation - It is almost always double or more of what the government says it is, do what you can to stay ahead of it.

• Compounding - Little things over long periods of time have big results, this works in money and life.  You receive compounded interest or you pay it. 

• Currency (fiat money) - Understand, from the beginning, that currency (paper money) is printed and manipulated by what I like to call the “banksters”. Keep that in the back of your mind, it is what it is.

Giving is a paradox, the more you give the more you get. If you want friends, be a friend.  If you want love, give love.  If you want kindness, be kind.  If you want forgiveness, forgive others.

Expect ingratitude, many will forget to thank you, be a giver anyway. 

Knowledge is also a tool, it is something no one can take away from you.  Build  your “toolbox of knowledge”, acquire skills.

Learn things and apply them.  

Become a master of something.  

The more you know the more tools you will have to solve or deal with whatever.

Most importantly know that you are a blessing and a gift.

These are the things I’d like to pass along.

And may God help you live YOUR best life.  

Know that I Love You.  

Dad

PS- Know that I am always here for you, all you have to do is say the word, I’ll be there.  And some day when I’m not here just pray, I’ll still be with you.