Dear Sky and Jade, Dream Big

Dear Sky and Jade,

I love you and want the very best for you.  The good news is, most people really do want what's best for you.  That being said, don't listen to "most people."  Let me explain.

I think one of the hardest things to do in life is to continue to dream big as you grow up.  I want you to continue to dream big.  Most people will spend a great deal of time and energy telling you that you need to be "realistic."  You need to set goals that are "reachable."  You need to live within the world that they see around them.

Now I don't think that most people are mean-spirited.  I don't think they do this to consciously hold you back (though subconsciously might be a different discussion).  But the fact is, they look through the world through their own eyes.  They have their own expectations, skills, dreams (or lack thereof) and vision of the world...not yours.

And as mean as it sounds for me to say, most people are very average. 

So don't listen to most people when you are crafting your dream for the future.  Not even if that person is me.

Dream Big today...and forever.  You will be glad you did!

Dad

Letters to Sky and Jade--Laugh at Yourself

I have a 15 year old and a 12 year old.  They are both fantastic young ladies with great hearts.  And we are at a time in life when I want to share some of the things that I have learned (both good and bad).  The problem is, at 15 and 12, they don't always have the time or desire to listen to dear old dad.  I know, unique problem right?

So I have decided to put some of these thoughts down in writing so they can look at them some day...when they feel like it.  I hope they get something out of it.  I hope that maybe I learn something along the way too.

These thoughts and lessons will be written like a letter, to be opened at a future date.

Dear Sky and Jade,

I am really proud of you both.  You are beautiful and caring.  I love that.   I want to share these thoughts and lessons to help put life in perspective.  It sounds easy, but most of the time, it's not.  Each letter will have a different message.  It's worth mentioning, I think, that these will be in no particular order.  I will write these as they occur to me in the course of life.  Maybe someday I will re-order them.  But for now they are not in some grand order of importance.

Today's lesson:  You never really have a sense of humor until you can laugh at yourself.

You both have a great smile and a great laugh.  But remember, big people don't make a habit of laughing at small people.  Bullies do that.  You will find life to be a lot more fun when you can see your own mistakes as learning...and to smile at them.

In addition, this also makes life more fun.  You can see the absurdity and randomness.  And you can do this without lamenting "why me?"

Just do your best to learn each lesson...and laugh.  You will be better for it.

Love ya,

Dad