When I was younger I was blessed with older parents and a sister that was 9 years ahead of me in life. My father taught me to walk softly and carry a big stick. My mother taught be how to "tell someone off" and have them thank you when the conversation is over. My sister, well she taught me to have fun. Music was always a part of my life growing up. My mother played the piano while my sister and I both learned the saxophone. One thing I wish I would have done is let me mother teach me the piano. (Maybe one day down the road.)
While growing up my sister was a little bit country and a lot rock and roll. She had the Bee Gee's Gold album. I remember listening to all sorts of music with my sister and from many different genres. My parents were old school country. Great artist such as Hank Williams Sr, Patsy Cline and even Don Williams. They never cared for the newer country. Mom always wanted something with a good beat that they could dance too. I use to love to watch my parents dance. They always looked happy.
I remember my mom and sister teaching me to dance. They said you will learn to dance well and keep rhythm. Some don't realize I love to dance and to all sorts of music, country to rock. (Secrets reveled.) We use to play games at Christmas Breaks. Cards and bones were always a favorite in our house.
The older I get the more I realize that not everyone has such great memories as a child. Our lives were far from perfect. We fought and yelled at each other more than once. After a fight though we always made up and told each other how much we love one another. Lessons like this are very important to children and even young adults. You have to learn that is okay to get angry with someone as long as you learn why it happened and apologize when you are wrong. It's just as important to learn to be graceful in victory.
Treating others with respect is something that people learn from their surroundings. I am a big believer in do unto others as you would have them do unto you. For me it does not take any effort to be nice to people. I am what some might call a people person. (No Jokes from peanut gallery!)
There are values that some people may not be getting at home that they receive in other areas. Some find these in churches which provide wonderful guidance in your spiritual life. Some find them in after school activities like chess club, science club or even sports. A lot can be said for being around people who you connect with on certain levels.
I believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give the younger generation is to allow them to find themselves, with guidance. Let the kids interact with other kids and let them do things that build them up in their life. Allow your kids to play sports, play in a band and most importantly show an animal.
We even have to allow our kids to fail in life. We can not barricade them in and protect them from harm. In the game of life there are winners and losers. Some people fail to understand is when you lose, you figure out what you did wrong and you don't do it again. The next time, you will be the winner. Teaching our children and others to learn from their mistakes is how we grow as people. Thomas Edison said, "Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward...."
To bring this all back around and hopefully make a good point. Success is not given to anyone, it's not purchased. Success comes from hard work. Time in the cattle barn, on a tractor, in a truck sleeping on the way to the next cattle show or event. Success comes wrapped up in dirty clothes, old boots and lots of blood, sweat and tears. We as adults have to teach our children these values. It also comes from those longs rides in trucks where we dream about whats to come. Dreaming about the next cattle show, roping or even track meet. Big dreamers become the most successful people.
You see, spending that time with my parents and sibling was not all about just fun. It was about learning something new, failing at the task, and finally achieving success after many hours of practice. I still love to play cards and bones if I get the chance. Dancing remains an extremely fun past-time. And the memories that I have will be ones that I cherish for the rest of my life.
Aerosmith was one of my sisters favorite bands and still one of mine to this day. Songs like "Dream On" should be played loud and often. So if you are going down the road and hear a song that makes you feel good. Remember it probably makes others feel good as well. My mom and sister always had big dreams and hopes for me. Now my dad is one of my largest supporters. He tells me that I can do it when it comes to many tasks. He doesn't do it just to be a dad, he does it because he has seen what I have accomplished in the past.
"Maybe life is random, but I doubt it." ~ Steven Tyler
While growing up my sister was a little bit country and a lot rock and roll. She had the Bee Gee's Gold album. I remember listening to all sorts of music with my sister and from many different genres. My parents were old school country. Great artist such as Hank Williams Sr, Patsy Cline and even Don Williams. They never cared for the newer country. Mom always wanted something with a good beat that they could dance too. I use to love to watch my parents dance. They always looked happy.
I remember my mom and sister teaching me to dance. They said you will learn to dance well and keep rhythm. Some don't realize I love to dance and to all sorts of music, country to rock. (Secrets reveled.) We use to play games at Christmas Breaks. Cards and bones were always a favorite in our house.
The older I get the more I realize that not everyone has such great memories as a child. Our lives were far from perfect. We fought and yelled at each other more than once. After a fight though we always made up and told each other how much we love one another. Lessons like this are very important to children and even young adults. You have to learn that is okay to get angry with someone as long as you learn why it happened and apologize when you are wrong. It's just as important to learn to be graceful in victory.
Treating others with respect is something that people learn from their surroundings. I am a big believer in do unto others as you would have them do unto you. For me it does not take any effort to be nice to people. I am what some might call a people person. (No Jokes from peanut gallery!)
There are values that some people may not be getting at home that they receive in other areas. Some find these in churches which provide wonderful guidance in your spiritual life. Some find them in after school activities like chess club, science club or even sports. A lot can be said for being around people who you connect with on certain levels.
I believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give the younger generation is to allow them to find themselves, with guidance. Let the kids interact with other kids and let them do things that build them up in their life. Allow your kids to play sports, play in a band and most importantly show an animal.
We even have to allow our kids to fail in life. We can not barricade them in and protect them from harm. In the game of life there are winners and losers. Some people fail to understand is when you lose, you figure out what you did wrong and you don't do it again. The next time, you will be the winner. Teaching our children and others to learn from their mistakes is how we grow as people. Thomas Edison said, "Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward...."
To bring this all back around and hopefully make a good point. Success is not given to anyone, it's not purchased. Success comes from hard work. Time in the cattle barn, on a tractor, in a truck sleeping on the way to the next cattle show or event. Success comes wrapped up in dirty clothes, old boots and lots of blood, sweat and tears. We as adults have to teach our children these values. It also comes from those longs rides in trucks where we dream about whats to come. Dreaming about the next cattle show, roping or even track meet. Big dreamers become the most successful people.
You see, spending that time with my parents and sibling was not all about just fun. It was about learning something new, failing at the task, and finally achieving success after many hours of practice. I still love to play cards and bones if I get the chance. Dancing remains an extremely fun past-time. And the memories that I have will be ones that I cherish for the rest of my life.
Aerosmith was one of my sisters favorite bands and still one of mine to this day. Songs like "Dream On" should be played loud and often. So if you are going down the road and hear a song that makes you feel good. Remember it probably makes others feel good as well. My mom and sister always had big dreams and hopes for me. Now my dad is one of my largest supporters. He tells me that I can do it when it comes to many tasks. He doesn't do it just to be a dad, he does it because he has seen what I have accomplished in the past.
"Maybe life is random, but I doubt it." ~ Steven Tyler
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