Getting there: parental reflection

My father used to spend hours talking to me when I was a kid. Sharing all kinds of adages, wisdom, jokes he was trying out. Truthfully, when I look back, he was just talking at me – using it as an opportunity to get things off his chest and hear himself talk. But I loved it. He made it easy to be quiet. I love being around people that talk too much because then I don’t have to say anything. And I don’t even have to be a good listener because they’re talking for themselves anyway. However, I’ve grown to love silence and anyone that doesn’t find it awkward.

I learned a lot from these talks. So many philosophical topics that must have molded me in a way I can’t even frame in words.

So. This led me to the self-pointed question of what wisdom I would share with a developing human.

1. Find the balance between seeing things through and knowing when to call it.

2. Don’t be ashamed or afraid of doing anything alone.

3. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. The harder something is, usually the more rewarding it is. Let yourself embrace fear/pain, and you will wield it to your advantage.

4. Learn yourself. Make a best friend of yourself and you’ll never be alone.

5. Listen to your body. Quiet your mind. Make decisions efficiently.

6. Make a habit of challenging yourself.

7. Allow negativity or anxiety pass over you and through you. It is fleeting. It only exists because you are a creator and made it.