From a minister: “My father was a very positive person and moved mountains to create his dreams. He used to tell me, ‘You can do anything you put your mind to!’
When I was about to graduate from college, I still had no idea what kind of work I wanted to do but knew I wanted to work with ‘helping people’ in some way. Just a month away from my graduation I frantically told my father – ‘I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up,’ knowing that Dad would have just the right sage advice. Dad responded, ‘I don’t either!’
At the time it was not reassuring that even Dad, so grown-up and a respected businessman, did not know what he wanted to be. However, he laughed and told me that most people don’t know at the tender age of 21. He reassured me that if I could just trust that LIFE would show me through experience – and following my heart – the opportunities that were right for me would appear. He also said it was OK to change my mind along the way! I felt so relieved as this seemed to make so much sense to me. And 37 years later…I would still agree. Thanks Dad!!!”
From an executive with a national nursing association: “My Dad has always been an amazing example across the board. He taught me to respect all people and set an example that integrity extends from the CEO to the roughnecks working on the rigs. As we leaned this, we also saw how to give of ourselves, knowing it would come back even bigger, and when we most needed it.
He also instilled in us that there is always more than one way to do just about anything. This gave me my knack for outside the box thinking and problem solving. Even what seem like YES/NO questions often have more than the two obvious answers/solutions.
But what has always stood out is that through example and practice, my Dad raised my brother and me to be self-sufficient. Once we made it on our own, he stood back and let us fly. Even times when we might be headed for disaster, he allowed us to live our own lives, knowing we had the skills to thrive. He never said ‘I TOLD YOU SO!’ Each time we fall he is there to help us learn the lesson, regroup and keep going. He believes in us!”
From a yoga teacher: “My father passed away when I was little, but I remember he always did things he didn’t want to do to make me happy. There are pictures of this rough ‘manly man’ carrying these naked dolls for me at the lake….”
From a financial manager: “So many wonderful things my dad did for me! Giving me an allowance and making me abide by it so I could learn to manage money. Encouraging me to go to college and making it possible. But one piece of advice he gave me will always stick with me. When I’m stressing about something, he told me to pick a date on the calendar a week or two ahead. Until that date I picked comes, I’m not allowed to think about the problem. Ninety-nine percent of the time the problem won’t nearly seem as big when you’ve taken a break away from it, the answer will become obvious, or the problem will have resolved itself. And he was right!”
From a college professor: “I took a math test in first grade and should have gotten a 100. Instead, the nun gave me a 94%. I tried to tell her, but she wouldn’t listen. I cried the whole six-block walk home. I told my mother. She told me I still had an A. That made me cry even more.
I took my wet crumpled paper to the porch to wait for my dad. I knew he would understand. He drove up right at 5pm as always. I was crying and pointing at the paper because I couldn’t speak the words to explain. He understood…and drove me straight to the convent. He explained what happened to the nun. She apologized directly to me and changed the grade on the spot! I will always remember that!”
To all the dads, and the parents or guardians fulfilling that role, we at Optimum Health Institute (OHI) salute you.
In these uncertain times, look to OHI as your safe haven. As we celebrate 43 years of holistic healing, we can teach you how achieve your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual goals for optimal health. Stay safe, and be well. Above all, embrace positivity!
Visit our website at www.optimumhealth.org, or call us at (800) 588-0809 to make your reservation.
