Lessons My Dad Taught Me
Posted: Wednesday, June 15, 2011
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
My father, John Henry Waddey, was a child of the Great Depression. He had only eight years of formal education but he accumulated a lot of wisdom in his life. In daily conversation he passed on valuable lessons for life that have greatly benefitted me. Most of his lessons were framed in lines easily memorized, such as:
• "Study hard and work hard if you want to get ahead in life."
• "Any job worth doing is worth doing right."
• "With hard work and discipline any job can be completed."
• "Poverty is not something to wallow in. It is challenge to be overcome."
• "Never ask another to do for you that which you can do for yourself."
• "Be responsible, reliable and dependable."
• "If you are old enough to get married, you are old enough to move out and make it on your own."
• " Use credit sparingly. Never buy what you cannot afford to pay for."
• "Pay your bills first, then if any money is left, spend it for recreation and entertainment."
• "Never be a bother to others."
• " Mind your own business; leave others to mind theirs."
• "Never stick your hand into a trap and you won’t get caught."
• "Be sympathetic to people with misfortunes and disabilities."
• "Be kind to pets and animals."
• "Take care of your aged kinfolks; it is your duty."
• My dad rarely missed a day of work, built his own house, repaired his cars, quite smoking and the use of alcohol without professional help. Quite a list of accomplishments.
Dad has long since gone to his reward, but the lessons he taught me still guide and influence my life.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Excellent array of lessons, and isn't it great that a well lived life keeps so many remembrances in our hearts. Wonderful article.
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