When it comes to honoring our parents, Father’s Day usually takes a back seat to Mother’s Day. While mothers often enjoy flowers, brunches at fancy restaurants, and thoughtfully crafted keepsakes from their children, fathers somehow end up with golf sweaters, “World’s Greatest Dad” t-shirts, and an impressive collection of Old Spice products. Sometimes, they get the blame for things they didn’t even do, like invent “dad jokes” or Bermuda shorts.
Let’s face it. Dads often don’t get the respect they deserve. So, in the spirit of Father’s Day, here are a handful of valuable lessons our dads taught us about how to operate in the world that continue to guide us today:
1. Be a good human.
Life can be hard. Many of us are carrying burdens or dealing with things others will never know about. Kindness, empathy, grace, and patience go a long way in getting along with other people and building relationships.
2. Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Character counts and integrity makes a world of difference—not only in how people regard us, but in how we handle ourselves, especially in times of adversity.
3. Own your mistakes.
No one is perfect and everybody makes mistakes. What matters most is taking responsibility for our actions and doing what we can to make it right whenever possible.
4. If you make a mess, clean it up.
Pretty self-explanatory. If you need clarification, refer to lessons 2 and 3.
5. Your reputation can be your greatest asset…or your worst liability.
Our reputation is like a mirror; it is merely a reflection of how others see us. Make sure it’s a good one. Happy Father’s Day from all of us at ProCode!