Tag: stories

Sports and Conversation

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There is great value in kids playing sports. There are life lessons regarding preparation, practicing, perseverance, winning and losing.

But there is something else. Sports are an opportunity to connect with your child. You get to be part of their adventure.

Conversations in the car, going to a game and coming home from a game, are your chance for conversation, storytelling and encouragement.

Over time they will remember your words of encouragement, but they will definitely remember that you were there….. and had a chocolate shake on the way home.

You are always Interviewing

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‘You are always interviewing’ and ‘Don’t burn any bridges’ have been a few sayings I would speak to my kids when they were younger.

Working hard and building relationships are character qualities for a healthy life. Speak these truths into your children, live them out in your life and tell your personal stories.

Then one day you will hear, “Hey dad, didn’t you always say……”

Speak truth, live it out and leave your legacy.

Conversations

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More people are posting pictures of family and friends at Thanksgiving than their food. Why?

… Because our friends and family matter more than the same food everybody else is eating (in the USA) for the day.

The best part of the day for me is the conversations that happen after the meal. Words matter, especially over pecan and buttermilk pie.

Family stories leaving a legacy.

Thankful

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We have been designed for community and relationships. When we gather with friends and family, under the banner of thanksgiving, those bonds are strengthened.

I look forward to one of those gatherings today.

Being thankful is best served every day.

Be thankful today. Be thankful tomorrow. Be thankful the next day.

Leave a legacy of thankfulness.

Golf Club Membership

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Golf is part of my dad’s legacy. He worked for a large bank and received a golf club membership as one of the perks. It is a famous club that hosted a US Open.

On Saturday morning he would play with a group of bankers. When he came home he would teach me how to play golf in our yard. That is when I began to love the game and learn valuable life lessons that golf teaches. (Be truthful about your score is one of the lessons.)

Golf has been one of the activities I enjoy with my sons and sons-in-law. It is part of our family legacy. It has also become a connection with my dad, their grandfather, whom they have never met.

Last month, the golf club that my dad was part of became a client of one of my son and son-in-law’s golf business. “Hey dad, guess where one of our new client is located….grand dad’s club.”

I think it’s pretty cool. I also know that is part of me telling my parents (dad’s) legacy. It is part of our story.

Tell your stories.

Not Alone

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Do you ever feel alone? We all do.

When I think that I am the only one facing a problem, and then I tell someone what I am going through, often they say, “me too ….” And then my problem doesn’t seem as difficult. Someone else knows and shares the weight.

Tell your parents a challenge or problem you are facing. There’s a good chance they have experienced something similar. It is a good way to start a conversation.

Tell your stories. Leave a legacy.

Genuine Interest In Others

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You have the power to encourage someone today.

Take a genuine interest in others. Talk less about yourself. Ask them what they are working on, or investing their time in, or what they do during their time off.

Don’t respond with what you are doing. Simply take a genuine interest in their story. They will be encouraged.

Leave a legacy of encouragement.

“What number please?”

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One of the fun stories my mom told was about being a switchboard operator.

In the late 1930’s my mom was one of many switchboard operators. If you placed a phone call back then your phone number would light up a switchboard. You would tell the operator what number you wanted and then the operator would plug your line into the line/number you requested. “What number please?”

On occasion, when a boyfriend of one of the switchboard operators called another girl, the call would be mysteriously dropped or routed to a wrong number. My mom was never caught, but she helped keep a few boyfriends in line.

There’s no moral to this story. It is simply part of her story. Though, we all like to listen in.

The Dinner Game

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Don’t assume your children can read your mind. Tell them what you think, believe and value.

If you are in a relationship you have played the dinner guessing game. You know these lines: “Where do you want to go to dinner? “I don’t care, you decide.” “Let’s go Italian.” “No, I don’t want to go there.” “Well, where would you like to go?” “It doesn’t matter, you decide.” And around and around we go.

Have a conversation. Don’t play the guessing game. No one can read your mind.

Leave your legacy.

Practice Telling a Story

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Telling a story needs to be practiced. Shorter is better than long.

When the story is from your life or family it will be more effective.

Wait for an opportunity, respond to conversation, instead of saying, “Hey, wait till you hear this.” Be patient.

I often drive at least 30 minutes one way to my office. Often I turn off my music or podcast to practice a story out loud. The people in other cars think I am on the phone, but really, I am practicing the timing of saying, “Papa, I’m brave now.”

Tell a story today.