Learn from the Old, Look Forward to the New

The end of the year is approaching and with it, the new year is being forcefully dragged in behind it. At this time many of us examine our lives and look for ways to improve ourselves with a New Years Resolution. I have done this same thing in years past. Each year I would make a new resolution to improve one thing or another about my life and my life choices. This year I think I'm going to try something different. I love old sayings and famous quotes so I'm going to start each day with a wise a/o funny quote. Here are a few of my favorites: Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. Abraham Lincoln It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. Abraham Lincoln You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. Albert Camus Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. Albert Einstein Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. Albert Einstein Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one. Bill Gate Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet. Bob Marley Family not only need to consist of merely those whom we share blood, but also for those whom we'd give blood. Charles Dickens A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions. Confucius Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change. Confucius To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. Confucius Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. Edward Murphy Losing your way on a journey is unfortunate. But, losing your reason for the journey is a fate more cruel. H.G. Wells Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they, therefore, remain bound. James Allen Work harder on yourself than you do on your job. Jim Rohn Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. Mark Twain Let no man pull you low enough to hate him. MLK Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try. Mary Kay Ash Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mohandas Gandhi What you're thinking is what you're becoming. Muhammad Ali A man is never as big as when he is on his knees to help a child. Pythagoras Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God. Ronald Reagan Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. Voltaire No matter where you go, BE THERE! Dad--I'm just saying. I hope to put into practice the wisdom and humor I get from these wise sayings. I will start each day with a quote and look forward to a new day of love, laughter, and learning. I'm Dad-- I'm just saying

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there. I hope this Fathers Day is the best! Having been a father for over 28 years now, I can say few things give me greater pleasure then spending time with my sons. I was fortunate enough to have 3 sons! Nothing against daughters but I always wanted sons. Some of my most favorite memories is playing games around the table with them and their mother. I also loved watching them play sports. I never was able to stay in the stands and watch. I always had to get up and walk up and down the sidelines. Of course it was important that they won the game but even more important to me was that they were having fun and felt connected to the team. I remember special moments when I got to spend one on one time with each of my boys. The first time my middle son broke a board with his fist. (he had been taking karate) The camping trip I took with my oldest boy near the lake. The first time my youngest rode a bike without training wheels. All very special moments to me. I wish I had a photographic memory so I could recall every little look, comment, laugh, and tear of my boys when they were so young and vulnerable. I am reminded often of these moments with the expressions, comments, laughs, and tears of my grandson. I encourage my grandson often throughout the day to run faster, jump higher, laugh louder, and imagine bigger. I'm sure I did that with my own sons but I don't remember them all. I only hope that the encouragement I gave them is something that will come back to their memories as they spend time with their own kids and the words of encouragement will be multiplied over and over again.

I'm Dad -- I'm just saying, encourage your kids.