The Wisdom My Father Taught Me – Lessons for Life
We often think that a wise person is someone with a high level of education or great social success. However, the wisest person I have ever known was my father, a man who dropped out of school in the third grade. Though he did not receive much formal education, he taught me the most profound lessons about life through his own experiences.
School Education vs. Life Education
My father always said:
“Dropping out of school doesn’t mean your education is over.”
Mark Twain once famously stated:
“I’ve never allowed my schooling to get in the way of my education.”
For my father, education was not confined to a classroom. He taught himself how to read and write through books, and despite living through the era of Jim Crow laws, he never let society define his worth. He firmly believed in living a life of excellence, regardless of circumstances. That belief became deeply ingrained in me as well.
Life Principles My Family Taught Me
There are principles that should guide us in any situation. My father and mother instilled in me several important lessons:
• “You’d rather be an hour early than a minute late.”
→ Value time and always be prepared.
• “I won’t have a problem if you aim high and miss.”
→ Set high goals and take risks. Fear of failure should never hold you back.
• “If you’re gonna do a job, do it right.”
→ If you commit to something, give it your best effort.
My mother also left me with an invaluable lesson:
• “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
→ The harmony of the home is essential.
These lessons shaped my character and taught me the importance of diligence and responsibility.
Humility and Respect – The Foundation of True Influence
My father always emphasized humility:
“Make sure your servant’s towel is bigger than your ego.”
He lived by this principle. He would tell the story of John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, who would pick up a broom and sweep the gym floor himself after practices. My father believed that true leaders serve others first.
Failure Is Not the End – It’s a New Beginning
My father never wanted me to fear failure.
“While you’re struggling, rock-bottom can also be a great foundation on which to build.”
Failure is not the end—it can be the foundation for something greater. What matters is not how many times you fall, but how many times you rise again.
Love and Loss – A Life-Changing Realization
The most beautiful person I ever met was Trina. We fell in love, got married, and built a wonderful life together.
But life often takes unexpected turns. Trina was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in the end, I had to say goodbye to the woman I loved.
Before she left, she said something that changed my perspective on life:
“It doesn’t matter to me any longer how long I live. What matters to me most is how I live.”
That one sentence reshaped the way I saw my own life.
My Father’s Final Lesson
Before my father passed away, he left me with a simple yet powerful message:
“Just stand.”
At first, it seemed too simple. But over time, I realized its depth.
Life will knock you down. There will be moments when you feel like you can’t go on. But no matter what, stand firm. Keep going.
Ultimately, It’s About How You Live
Now, I ask myself this question:
“How you living?”
We all live in our own ways, but what truly matters is living the right way.
• “It’s never wrong to do the right thing.”
• Seek wisdom every day and strive for growth.
Like my father taught me, I am still standing today.
And now, I ask you the same question:
“How you living?”