A Letter to My Boys

Boys:

As my boys, you are my pride.  I want every success for you in life.  I know life will bring challenges and disappointment.  It will bring highs and lows and I hope the next few words can help, even a little along the way.

-You both are my boys.  I will always have your back.  If you need me, ask, and I'll move the world.
-Have each other's back.  You are brothers and will not always get along, but make sure no one ever puts the other one down.
-Honor your mother.  She gave you life.  She puts up with so much from all of us and still sticks around.  Make sure you treat her like the queen that she is.
-Plan on life kicking you in the nuts.  Get over it.  It hurts, and it stops.  Don't linger on it.  Move on.
-Go to college.  The days of being able to make a living without a degree are over.
-One day you'll get a paycheck.  Save part of it back.
-When you get paid, don't forget to enjoy your money and have SOME fun.
-Live within your means.
-Good friends are hard to come by.  When you have one, make sure you have their back, always.
-Command respect.
-Give respect where it is earned.
-Never grovel to anyone.
-Don't let anyone put you down.
-All you have when you enter the world is your name.  Whenever you do something, you sign your name to it.  What do you want people to think when they hear your name?
-Exercise regularly.
-Eat right, but indulge occasionally.
-Don't tolerate a bully.  They are weak and prey on fear.
-If you or someone else is being bullied, stand up to them.
-Don't be afraid to get in a fist fight.  If you lose, suck it up.  Lick your wounds.  If you win, don't gloat.
-Remember, there is always someone bigger and stronger along the way that will kick your ass.
-Never quit.  Don't ever, ever quit.  If you quit once, it becomes easier and easier.
-Whatever job you end up with, do it better than anyone else.  Be the example of what people say everyone should be.
-Girlfriends will come and go.  Treat them with respect and honor.
-Never say or do anything to a girl that you wouldn't want her Father to hear or see.
-Never let a girl take advantage of you.
-Never hit a woman and never let a woman get hit.
-When you find the right girl, treat her right.  Stay with her and do whatever it takes to make her happy.
-When you get married, your wife is The Most Important Person in you life, no matter what.  More than me, your mom, your brother, eventual kids.
-Do something that everyone says can't be done.
-Do something that you think is impossible.
-Learn how to drive a manual transmission.
-Know how to change the oil and tires in your car.
-Learn how to start a fire without a match or lighter.
-Study the people running for office and vote.
-Tolerate everyone, but never allow that tolerance to cause you to forfeit your beliefs.
-Family comes first.
-Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe.  No one will ever fault you for that.
-Plan on repercussions if what you believe in is contrary to the popular opinion.
-Don't chew your nails.  Use a nail clipper.
-Be a good winner.  No one likes an asshole who just beat them.
-Want to look good in front of others?  Lift others up, don't put them down.
-Want to look smart?  Surround yourself with others that are better than you at something.
-Don't be so serious that you can't laugh at yourself.
-Give credit where credit is due.  If someone around you does well, compliment them in front of others.
-Lift your wife up in front of others.  Indulge in talking endlessly about how great she is.  Talk about how beautiful she is.  Tell people who wonderful she is.  Tell everyone how well she treats you.
-Know how to cook one thing, really well.
-Treat animals well.  No one likes a guy who mistreats animals.

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing afriend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.  --Chief Techumseh

Love,
Dad