Life Lessons from Dad

Editor’s note: This Father’s day we asked friends and family to share some lessons learned from his/her father.

• “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." —Billy Graham

As a young girl, I recall how important my father’s value system was in molding my self-confidence. At times I felt like an awkward tomboy, but my father paid no mind and encouraged me to play sports and be myself. I was comforted in knowing my value came from much more than society’s ever-present beauty standards and expectations. At an impressionable age, instead of focusing on comparing how I looked with others, I felt good in the skin I was in.
- Kiyomi Schmidt

I’ve learned many things from my Dad. I don’t recall any type of phrase or “something my Dad used to say”. I learned by example. And my Dad is my best example. I try to be a person others want to be around, someone honorable, and someone who keeps yearning to learn. Right now I am a son. I hope to be a father like the one I have. - Mike Giampaoli

My dad always encouraged me to be a good listener, and to accommodate others, and I appreciate that lesson every day.
- Mimi Sylte

Some advice my dad sent me:
“My love, you must get self out of the way, this is not about us. All we have to do is ask God where he wants us to be and he will speak to our hearts. If the Lord be with you, who and what can stand against you? We will be where the Creator blesses us to be! You are a princess, and your Father the King of kings, and your father always wants the best for you. Put God first, put self aside. Love, Dad”  ~Laylah 

On Sundays my dad would take us to the beach... my dad would go for a long swim. His preferred style was the crawl and he would go so far that all I saw was his head. I asked him how he did that and he said to me don’t fight the ocean, be calm and consistent.
This was his approach to life. Arriving on time means you are LATE!
He didn’t drink or smoke but if he went to an event he would have a scotch on the rocks (scotch with ice). At the end of the night the ice had melted and the scotch was still there.
He also taught me to dream and not to be afraid of following my dream.
Yes we butted heads often, yes I could not understand him. Then later on I realized that as a parent he was doing the best he knew to help and guide me. Happy Father’s Day Dad!
-Tyndol Baynes

My dad would always make sure I considered situations from another point of view. If I was learning about the American revolutionary war he would ask me to consider the British position. He would consistently play the part of devil's advocate and encouraged me to think for myself. He would say don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. -Yoshi Mori