7 Life Lessons My Dad Taught Me

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the fathers in the house. You all rock!

"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father.” - Lydia Maria Child 

My father didn't tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it. - Unknown.

My father was an exceptional man. He was an extremely selfless man, perhaps too much so.

He had an unwavering love and care for every member of his family, immediate and extended.

He extended this goodwill to the community of our village.

He took care of any and everyone who came to him for help or guidance.

His discipline and hard work also characterized him.

Throughout my life, I watched him work tirelessly and always with a gracious smile, give his all to the business he co-owned.

Unfortunately, he passed away in March 2023.

My dad's teachings have been valuable in my life, business, and relationships.

Here are 7 of these lessons:

1) Show others the same respect you would want for yourself.

My dad's uncle became his guardian after he left home at a young age.

He faced many painful life experiences growing up poor and away from his parents.

He committed to ensuring that no one around him experiences the same things.

Everyone who lived or worked for him was treated with empathy, love, and care.

Growing up, I learned to treat others the same way by watching him.

2) Be Your Best Self - In Character And Output

Dad believed in giving your all in any situation.

Everywhere he went, he was drawn to leadership positions within the community.

He was both honest and easy to work with.

He was a respectful listener who honored others' boundaries and viewpoints.

He demonstrated that there was dignity in labour, and his humility and grace shone through always.

3) Never Make A Promise You Don’t Intend To Keep

In my teens, he advised me against making promises I can't fulfill.

Especially not for a woman, and absolutely not for marriage.

In his opinion, it was an act of deception that could result in the person's death, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

In all my relationships, I heeded his advice, right until I proposed to my girlfriend, now my wife.

4) Always eat your wife's food and share the same bed.

When I got married, he advised me to never refuse food or sleep outside my marital bed no matter the fight or disagreement.

I didn't fully grasp the wisdom in this statement until much later.

To provide food is to express love through service.

It's tough to share a bed for a week and not cuddle, especially as physical touch is also a love language.

Small gestures like these have saved many marriages.

5) Your greatest legacy will be your children.

The amount of wealth you accumulate as a father doesn't matter.

You can never be happy if your children always bring you sadness and frustration.

My parents prioritized our education by investing in a quality one that they could afford.

They also instilled spiritual values by reading and explaining the Bible to us every morning.

They were super intentional about building a relationship with us.

Their lifestyle taught us how to live a comfortable and content life.

6) Never Forget The Family You Came From

When I was younger, we traveled to the village every other year.

The plan for the first morning was always to meet and greet the various families and relations.

My parents instilled in my siblings and me the importance of caring for family and staying connected to our roots.

It helped us stay humble and grounded.

7) Continue To Draw Closer To God

Dad always reminded me of the meaning of my name Chibuzor, which is “God first, or God leads”.

His go-to advice was to always put God first, and watch the impossible become possible.

My parents had a habit of speaking words of positivity and empowerment over us.

This shaped my mindset to believe that with hard work and faith, I could accomplish anything.

Closing Thoughts

I owe my qualities as a man, husband, and father to my dad's guidance.

This is the first Father's Day since his passing,

I'd like to commemorate his memory by sharing these timeless lessons.

I aim to pass them down to my children, and I invite you to help me spread these values and make a positive impact on humanity.

Celebrate the dads in your life, be it your father, brother, husband or uncle. And if you are one, more power to you, sir!

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