The Greatest Gift.

My father once told me that love and fear would inspire me. I didn't quite understand what he meant by that. He taught me a lot of things that I didn't understand at the time. I think about those things now and of course with time I have learned the brilliance in his teachings to me as a child.

So in honor of the most important man in my life, here is what he preached:

1. With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be.

2. Measure everything of significance.

3. Never let anyone push you around.

4. Never expect life to be fair. Life isn't fair. You make your own breaks. You'll be doing good if the only meaning fair has to you is something you pay when you get on a bus. (fare)

5. Solve your own problems.

6. Always know exactly what you want and DO NOT settle for anything less.

7. When something good is over, don't cry. When something bad is over, don't cry. Know the difference.

8. The easy choice is NEVER the right choice. **

9. Don't procrastinate or worry about making money, take action and think only about making value.

10. Find your passion and commit to continuing learning.

11. Forgive quickly, Be kind to people, but most importantly be kind to yourself.

12. The glass IS. The glass isn't have full or half empty the glass simply is. Enjoy life as it is.

13. Don't be reckless with anyone's heart and don't put up with anyone who is reckless with yours. Feelings are an important part of life, and everyone's are different.

14. When a man loves you he will respect you. It isn't his job to educate or comment on your life. It is his job to make you feel safe.

15. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

16. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.

17. Do not trust men that don't keep their word and make you promises. Men don't make promises, they don't need to since they always keep their word.

18. Your choices are half chance. So choose wisely, and know there will always be consequence.

19. Raise the bar consistently everyday and never ever settle for anything but the best and nothing less.

20. When you feel alone listen to the voice of reason and it isn't the voice telling you that you are lonely.

I love my father. I forget sometimes these little lessons that he so carefully thought out to teach me. It is so simple. I may not know a lot of the things I want in life yet. But there is one thing that I will always know no matter what. I don't ever want to disappoint my father.

Forever Daddy's little girl,
Me.