Category Archives: Best advice from dads

When You Fall on Your Face Stand Up with Grace

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“Have no fear of perfection — you’ll never reach it.”

—Salvador Dali

Today’s story is from Elisabeth Hirsch.

Nerdy. Needy. In my own skin uneasy. My name is Elisabeth. When I was a teen, I was awkward back then. Stumbled on stones. Uneasy in groups. Tongue-tied with cute boys. Even my clothes didn’t look right.

stand up with grace

Dad Phil and Elisabeth in Sundance, Utah, 1988

But here’s the thing. It didn’t make sense. My mom was voted homecoming queen when she was my age. And Dad? Handsome. Confident. Suave. He always knew what to do, what to say. No wonder. My father was a star quarterback when he was my age.

Mom and Dad just didn’t “get me” — especially Dad. For him it had always been easy. Day after day, he soared through life. Touchdown. Score! Whatever Dad did, crowds seemed to roar.

While me? One fumble after another. The world watched me stumble through life. Until it happened. Dad and I went for groceries. Walking into the store, Dad’s foot caught on the rug. Face-first toward the tile floor he plunged, as others looked on. READ MORE 

24-Hour Rule — The Wait is Worse Than the Wallop

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“When we direct our thoughts properly, we can control our emotions.”

—W. Clement Stone

Today’s story is from Bill Stafford Jr.

I wait. I watch. The target would soon appear. My tactics? Well refined.

24-hour rule

Dad Bill Sr., sister Sandi, and Bill Jr.

Unsuspecting, she casually strolls out of the house onto the lawn. That silly smile… it would soon go!

The time is right. I jump out from behind the car. “Attack!” I yell, as I hurl a volley of dirt pellets straight at her face.

WHACK! Smack in the mouth. Perfect aim. Again, I throw. SCORE! The side of her head. Hurts pretty good, I’ll bet. READ MORE 

The Most Powerful Coach in Sports — Nick Saban Talks About Dad

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“Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.”

—John D. Rockefeller

Today’s story is about Nick Saban.

nick saban

Nick Saban in action.

Nick was just a boy at the time. The pit of a dangerous mineshaft was no place for children… but into those dangerous depths he headed. A mandate by dad, this was clearly not Little Nick’s choice. 550 feet deep. Pitch dark. Very hot. Scary, indeed.

Thick, acrid air filled Little Nick’s lungs. It was a silent descent. Neither Nick nor his dad spoke a word. He was terrified. Any kid would be. At the bottom, this father finally acknowledged his frightened young son…

“If you don’t get a college education,” he said, “this is where you’re going to end up every day.”

Without another word, they began the long hike back to the top. Nick never forgot. READ MORE 

Lazy is a 4-Letter Word

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“If Joan of Arc could turn the tide of an entire war before her 18th birthday, you can get out of bed.”

—E. Jean Carroll

Today’s story is from Eric.

I was born with a lazy bone.

lazy

Eric with his dad, Chris, around the time of the “incident.”

4th of July. Every year with neighbors and friends we packed into a caravan. Coolers overflowing. Shoulder to shoulder in our mom’s and dad’s trucks. Off we went to Blacksburg High. Why? Fireworks. From the bleachers, it was a magnificent site.

Long ago, one 4th of July day, my cousin and I decided to take a dip in our inflatable backyard pool. “OK?” we asked Dad. From the yard he yelled, “Fine!”

My parents were divorced. I had just arrived to stay with Dad for a few days. My duffle and suitcase were still packed, up in my room. I rummaged around. No swimsuit to be found.

But don’t forget: I was born with a lazy bone.

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One Decision Away

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“You’re always just one decision away from a completely different life. Your one decision to read your kid a bedtime story every night. Your one decision to coach his or her t-ball teams. We have no idea how momentous the impact of one decision can be in life.”

—Kurtis Parks

Today’s story is from Kurtis Parks.

Meet my dad, Terry Parks. The pastor. The dreamer. The deal maker?

one-decision

Kurtis and his dad Terry today.

“I’ve got a vision for you, my son…I am going to start my own church, and I want you to be the music leader!”

I stared back at him, dumbfounded by the suggestion…I was 11 years old! I shrugged it off. “No thanks, Dad.” Not a chance. Only thing I cared about was how to throw a better curve ball. But dad already knew that…

“Ten bucks a week for an hour of piano every day…deal?” Ten bucks a week?! Whoa. Some serious coin. Visions of gigantic overflowing Slurpees and mountainous stacks of baseball cards encircled my head. READ MORE 

Daughter becomes Nashville Music Star

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“Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow”

—Abdul Kalam

Today’s story is from Nicole Johnson.

Nicole dreamed Nashville… and Dad.

father

Nicole and her dad.

You may recognize Nicole’s lovely face… and golden voice. At just 18 she appeared on “The Voice,” Season 3. Nicole didn’t just “appear” on that stage. Her dad (and mom) gave up much so their girl could play.

Nicole had a dream — then only thirteen. Come hell or high water, she was determined to succeed. She told Savvy Dad, “I was young, barely a teen, but I was focused, intense… committed that nothing would stand in my way.”

However, at thirteen you need more than talent and grit. You need parents willing to sacrifice big. It started with expensive coaching, a burden on Dad. And, Nashville was the place to perform — where anyone trying to make it in country music needed to be. READ MORE 

Emotion of Fools

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“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.”

—William Penn

Today’s story is from Melanie.

Emotion of fools. I learned it from Dad.

Was I careless that day? Or was it jealousy? I was Daddy’s little girl. His favorite. His world revolved around me. At least that’s what I thought…

jealousy

The Dodge

Dad brought her home on a Sunday. I watched through the window. They pulled up together. She was impressive I have to admit. Jealously? It flooded through me. There they stood, side by side. She had stolen Dad away from me! I was dismayed.

“Tons of power. American-made…” he shouted out to our neighbor across the way. “And I got a heck of a deal!” Yes, that’s right. She was a brand new, top of the line Dodge. A pickup, it was. Jet black. Shiny bright rims. Oversized bed. It had it all. READ MORE