Tag Archives: life lesson

Dad’s Prized Possession

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Dad’s Prized Possession

The Hamilton — a gift from mom to dad.

by Greg Hague

Dad wore it for most of his life. Hamilton was the brand inscribed on the face. Piaget, Rolex…many cost more.

Greg Hague's Hamilton

The Hamilton. Mom to Dad. Dad to me. Me to Jason last Christmas.

But The Hamilton was priceless to Dad. It was Mom on his arm, Mom at his side. The Hamilton had a black leather band, a pearl face and a bezel of platinum. Mom had the jeweler set small diamonds at 3, 12 and 9.

A small hand in a cross, centered below, counted the seconds. The Hamilton was kept in Dad’s top bureau drawer. It had a place of its own. It always lay flat, perfectly straight, with the band pointing north. The Hamilton was positioned an inch from the left side of the drawer. Dad’s money clip sat angled, just to the right…also a gift from Mom.   READ MORE 

Teach Your Kids to Resist the Urge

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Teach Your Kids to Resist the Urge . . .

Why is Facebook worth billions and you’re not?

Today’s post is based on a study by Harvard psychologists Diana I. Tamir and Jason P. Mitchell.

A study by two Harvard psychologists uncovered a proven way to make a bundle, raise smart kids and have great friends.

Greg Hague

My dog Tanner listens!

People like to express opinions. They like to talk about themselves. You already know that. Why? Because you want to, too. What you probably don’t know is the strength of the urge. It’s biological. We’re wired that way.

A part of your neurology (the mesolimbic dopamine system) gives you a feeling of pleasure when you eat good food, make lots of money, or see a good looking member of the opposite sex.

Talking about “you” stimulates your brain in the same way. It’s a dopamine-like reaction. You feel great, as with sex or chocolate.

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I Was Dad’s Little Helper

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Friday was payday!

Today’s story is from David Vogt.

Dad's little helper.

David Vogt with dad Bill, his model in life.

I had just turned 6.
I was building a barn in rural Illinois.
I was working for Dad.
I was paid 50 cents an hour.
Dad was a factory worker. He made screws for telephones.

Back then, he needed to moonlight construction to support our family. He eventually rose into management, a high paying job. That week, he was pouring a concrete floor for a barn. It was backbreaking labor.   READ MORE 

Dad’s Long Walk Without Shoes

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A long walk without shoes. A craggy dirt road.
An hour to school. An hour back home.
My name is Shawn Kumar. This is about Dad.

Today’s story is from Shawn Kumar.

Proud dad, proud son.

Nand & Shawn Kumar…proud dad with proud son.

What kids now expect, he would never have dreamed. My father grew up in India. He was thankful just to have shoes. As hard as it was, Dad dreamed of the best, only good things. He did it back then. He does it today.

My father was determined to create an opportunity-filled life for the family he one day would have.

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The Power of Dad’s Silence

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Winter of ’48. Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Snow was a part of everyday life.

Today’s story is from Lee Crist.

Dad's 1936 Ford Coupe

1936 Ford Coupe

My father, Charles Crist, was a fireman for the Pennsylvania Railroad. As a railroad employee, he was entitled to a “free pass” to anywhere on the ‘System.’ Over New Years, Mom and Dad decided to take the train to Baltimore to visit my older sister.

I had turned 16 the August before, and was a proud licensed driver. My family’s only form of transportation was a royal blue 1936 Ford Coupe with a rumble seat. Just before he left, my Dad instructed,

“If it snows, leave the car in the garage.”

Off they went. I had the car to myself. My buddies and I were going to have a blast.
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7 Little Sentences. 7 Big Thoughts.

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7 Little Sentences. 7 Big Thoughts.

I’ve been fortunate. Most of my life I’ve been surrounded by people with smarts.

by Greg Hague

Greg Hague

My kids say this is my “smart guy” photo.

It started with my dad, Chubby. He taught me a ton and made me want to know more. I learned that big concepts can often be expressed in just a few words. Chubby was a master at that.

Over 30+ years, I’ve assembled quite a collection of these nuggets of life. I call them “Chubby Rules,” named after my dad. I thought I would pass on a few of my favorites. Some are my own. Most are what others have said or I’ve read. If you’ve heard them, a reminder can’t hurt. Most of us know what we ought to do. We just need a nudge.   READ MORE 

Are You Happy with Who You Are?

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Are You Happy with Who You Are?

“People focus on role models; it is more effective to find anti-models — people you don’t want to resemble when you grow up.”

by Greg Hague

This morning a Savvy Dad friend and story contributor (and really smart guy), Michael LeBoeuf, reminded me of that quote from a great book, The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb.

Greg Hague, Savvy Dad

Me, Greg, a few years back.

It made me reflect back to a Saturday breakfast with Dad at Perkins Pancake House in Montgomery, Ohio. I was 12, maybe 13. It was our father-son tradition — the highlight of my week for years. We were sitting across from each other in a dark-red shiny booth next to the window, looking out at the road. It was a cold, icy morning. I can still picture the massive platter before me, stacked high with five syrup-laden pancakes, hash-browns and a double order of crispy bacon.   READ MORE