My grandfather was, and still is, the smartest man I’ve ever met. He passed away over five years ago, but not a day goes by that I don’t listen to the wise words he once told me—the words I am about to share with you. These “rules,” as I call them, are the ones I have lived by for the past 5 years in memory of him. As his birthday approaches on February 26th, I thought, “what better way to celebrate him than sharing his inspiration with others?”
His words to live by… There are five of them, each with a different purpose:
- Patience. Discipline yourself on this one.
- Common Sense. Think before you do something.
- Moderation. Not too much, not too little.
- Curiosity. Question what you don’t know.
- Discipline. Learn from your mistakes.
And then there are also his rules to a good life, which I think really work:
- Love: Yourself first, and then you can give your love away.
- Honesty: Don’t compromise this rule.
- Respect: Consideration, giving, and sharing.
- Acceptance: For the things you have no control over.
- Faith: In yourself, as well as in others
- Listening: Pay attention when a person tells you something
- He always reminded me that I was given two ears and one mouth, so I should listen twice as much as as I speak. I’m still struggling with this…
Finally, just some little sayings he made me believe in:
- Write things down. If you set your goals on paper, they will be accomplished.
- Learn to say “No,” but in a gracious way, when you are too busy and can’t do the job right.
- Keep it simple. Don’t complicate the simple things.
So if you’re seeking guidance or inspiration, I hope you found it in this article.
Happy Birthday!