Today, would have been my father’s 91st birthday. This blog is a tribute to him and my other mentors.
Last week, I celebrated my half-birthday in my 60th year and my 20th wedding anniversary.
I thought I’d reflect back on my many roles in my first 59-1/2 years, and write the first thought that comes to mind about what I’ve learned from each role:
SON: Integrity, Kindness and Unconditional Love;
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: Independence; Being Different is Okay;
COLLEGE STUDENT: Perseverance; Have Faith in the Future;
RESEARCH ASSISTANT: Scientific Analysis and Technical Writing;
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Understanding Forces;
HOME DESIGNER: Creativity; Seeing Synergistic Solutions; Understanding Relationships;
LANDSCAPE and GRAPHICS DESIGNER: Artistic Expression;
SKI and SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR: Understanding Movement; Understanding Different Ways to Learn;
BUSINESS MANAGER: Leadership, Vision and Teamwork;
OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: Facilitating Groups;
SCHOOL TEACHER: Communication, Empathy, and Being Open to Learning in Each Experience;
TRAINER: Dedication – You Become What You Practice;
ENDURANCE CYCLING: Strong-Heartedness; Mind and Body Work Together as One; You Can Get to Where You Want to Go – There’ll always be Hills and Valleys;
COACH: See the Gift in Each Individual; Motivation
MOUNTAIN BIKE GUIDE: Understand Risk vs Reward, Holding On vs Letting Go;
BACK COUNTRY GUIDE: Be Prepared;
ADVENTURER: Adventure Learning is Life-Learning;
WRITER: Clarity and Truth; Clear-Heartedness;
SKIER and SNOWBOARDER: Freedom; Bliss; Being at One with Nature in the Moment;
ADAPTIVE SPORTS VOLUNTEER: Acceptance; Empowerment; Selfless Service;
ATHLETE and BODY BUILDER: Power Comes from the Inside, Expressing Yourself Authentically and Fully; Maintaining Long-Term Perspective;
YOGA PRACTITIONER: Embody Your Life’s Higher Purpose; Everything is Connected and Interdependent; Love is The Way;
MUSIC-LOVER and ASPIRING MUSICIAN: Humility; Respect; The Flow of Life;
HEALER: Intuition, Loving-Kindness, and Open-Heartedness;
HUSBAND: Devotion, Full-Heartedness, and Partnership;
STEP-FATHER: Be There for Others at All Times;
MENTOR: Be There for Others at All Times;
FRIEND: Be There for Others at All Times;
ROLES THAT AREN’T IN LINE WITH LIFE’S HIGHER PURPOSE: Get out;
ROLES THAT ARE IN LINE WITH LIFE’S HIGHER PURPOSE: Give it YOUR BEST!
That’s It For Now! Live. And Learn.