Timeless Words of Wisdom from My Dad
If you, too, have someone you look up to, someone who loved despite all the hell they went through (or maybe, because of it), read these words of wisdom. They're from my dad, who did that. Who laughed harder than anyone I knew, even after everything. They'll remind how amazing it is to be here at all.
“You have to love every day… like it’s your last.” – Kevin Williamson, Sr. (my dad)
Thanks for helping me with this one, Dad. Your words of wisdom ring true now more than ever, and they'll linger in my heart for the rest of my life.
Words of Wisdom from My Dad
Keep smiling.
These two words have formed the unofficial tagline of my life. I’ve heard them so many times, I’ll never stop hearing them.
Whether you’re in a good mood or a crappy mood, there’s always a reason to smile. Even the not-so-great days can have a little bit of good in them, and it’s worth your while to find it. Or, to bring it.
“Let’s be grateful for the life that we have as we live it…” – Trudy Vesotsky
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If you never jump out of the plane, your parachute will never open. If you never take a risk or a leap of faith, you’ll never know what could have been.
It's in all the unknowns that you'll find adventure, something to gain, something to let go of, and you might even find yourself there too.
"So, what do you think?"
This is something my dad would ask me randomly. No context, no followup. Simply, "what do you think?" He liked to catch people off guard.
What a great question. It stops you in your tracks and makes you wonder about your life in a way you usually don't. It's sort of a mindfulness practice, a moment of reflection.
It could mean, “How’s life?” or “How are you?”
It could mean, “What’s on your mind?” or “What’s up?”
Consider it an opportunity to check in with your life. And to change course if you don't like the answer.
Every day you wake up is a good day.
“Have a wonderful day!” That’s another one I heard a lot, and he meant it.
The thing is, you need to practice having a wonderful day. Because not every day is going to give you what you want. You have to remind yourself that you’re blessed to be alive at all, and it’s nobody else's job to make this day good or bad.
One day at a time…
That’s how my dad handled his 59 years of kidney failure, cancer, and heart troubles. It's the only way I know how to move forward, to grieve, to make a difference.
Take it one breath at a time. Then one minute at a time. One hour, one day at a time.
"Little by little, one travels far." – J.R.R. Tolkien
We rebuild, together.
After a rough breakup, I asked my dad what I was going to do now. His answer was that “we rebuild, together.” He took the “I” and replaced it with a “We.” He reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that we could, and would, get through anything... together.
You can move forward, however slowly you need to, and reorganize from this new starting point. You do that, we do that, together.
You have to love every day… like it’s your last.
Don't take this life for granted. It's your LIFE.
“Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” – Unknown
Peace and Love.
Every time I walked out the door or hung up the phone or ended a conversation with my dad, he'd use infamous sign-off line: “Peace and Love.”
Brilliant, dad.
. . .
Tell me:
Which of these thoughts did you need to read today?
Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I'd love to know!
All my love,
Jen
P.S. Need help smiling in the morning? Get my book Morning Affirmations for light when you need it most, before anything or anyone else has a say. No matter what, you'll have something to look forward to.
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