Life lessons I hope to teach my daughters – Part 1

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This past weekend, I got the opportunity to spend a rare few moments outside playing in the snow with my daughters. I feel that each moment I spend with them, especially when they are so young, is like watching the sand fall from the top chamber of an hour glass…Time keeps on slipping away, and the innocence of youth, while so invigorating, will no doubt be a thing of the past in a few short years. I have to admit I can get quite depressed and down when I think about it, and I know when it hits me especially hard at night it’s time to go to bed!

As parents, my wife, Shelly, and I want to make sure we provide a great foundation for our girls to build from as they mature. Much like many parents want to establish an account for their children, so they have something saved up for future monetary expenses, we want to make sure we establish an account of life lessons for our children, so they have something saved up for those social situations they will undoubtedly face, and for those decisions they will need to make down the road. We quickly realized that this is not some far-off goal that we have years to work toward. Once our older daughter started school, the lessons had to start coming quickly, because with increased social interaction comes increased complexity and demand for problem-solving.

Please note that while it would be wonderful to say that I exhibit all of these characteristics I wish to instill upon our children, truth to be told, I have a lot of work to do in regard to many of these lessons!  If I could get them to learn these lessons, I would be absolutely thrilled. Many of these lessons, unfortunately (for me) were lessons I didn’t learn from my parents, and I had to learn them the hard way. I want to leave this world a better place than when I came, so if I can leave this world with two fine women who had learned these lessons, I would feel that I accomplished that goal!

Here is installment number one of the life lessons I want to make sure my daughters learn:

1. Your mom and dad love you — always. No matter what you do or what happens, we will always be there to support you.

2. Always be good to your sister — There is no need for competition or envy in this family. Everyone is loved equally and has the same opportunities for growth.

3. By simply being, you have made Mom and Dad’s life better. You taught us how to be more patient, compassionate, loving, and understanding. Life has never been as good as it is now before you came into this world.

4. Use your imagination and dream often. Those who accomplish the most dream the most. If you don’t dare to dream, you will always play it safe, and your personal growth will be stagnated.

5. Every day is a blessing. The fact that we live to see another day should be celebrated, and never taken for granted. Appreciate the time you spend with those who are special to you, because you never know how long they will be around.

6. Have a sense of humor about you. Life is way too short to be serious the whole time. Shelly may argue that I follow this a little too liberally from time to time!  Humor is a tremendous tool for breaking the tension in certain situations, so to understand how to utilize humor appropriately is a tremendous asset.

7. Ask for help when you need it. Everyone has strengths, so utilize the strengths of others when you need assistance. By relying on others, you show others that you value and trust them.

8. Never stop learning. Learning begins before you are born, and it continues until you leave this earth. You are never too old or too knowledgeable about anything to stop learning.

9. Do your best to try to get along with as many people as you can. By desiring to connect with others, you lower the resistance and reluctance of others to connect with you.

10. People have the right to their own opinions and preferences, so judgement need not apply. Everyone has the right to feel the way they feel and choose to act the way they choose, just as you do. Be wary of judging others.

11. Push for collaboration, not competition. Celebrate the successes of others, and do what you can to help them reach their goals. When you collaborate, you tap into a “spirit-based” mentality, where barriers are broken down and true greatness is the end result.  Everyone wins.

Come back tomorrow for the rest of the lessons! Have a great day!

-Victor