Thought for Today
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Actually, we have no problems –
we have opportunities for which we should give thanks…
An error we refuse to correct has many lives.
It takes courage to face one’s own shortcomings,
and wisdom to do something about them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Edgar Cayce ~
In 1996 my dad and I started a business together. We have always been a good team but it had been many years since we had spent this kind of time together. I had grown very independent and no matter how old I was I was still his boy.
No matter, we recognized these struggles and persisted to work and grow the business. Each of us having our areas of responsibilities and duties to perform.
Over time the strain of a father son team, particularly when the father and son share so many qualities and traits, was becoming a heavy burden to bear. It seemed like we were constantly bickering and too quick to find fault in the other.
One night after a particularly bad day I proceeded to unload on my wife all of my dads short comings and how unreasonable he was and how he always thought that he was the only one that was right and that I was always wrong in his eyes.
My wife listened patiently as she always does. As I was about to continue with my tirade I noticed that she was trying to hide a sheepish grin. When I asked what was so amusing? She replied, “You’re just like him.”
I remember thinking that I was going to knock her silly for making such an insult, until I realized she was right. I began that day not looking for faults so much in others but looking inside myself and changing what I could and what needed changing.
That’s a challenge I still struggle with today. It’s not an easy task to admit you have faults and should and need to correct them. I have learned, but still struggle with this also, that looking for and judging fault in others has no effect what-so-ever on them, but has a tremendous effect on me.
My father and I have made amends and continue to live our lives as the independent carefree people that we are. He and my mother are enjoying their retirement years and have a good life together. My parents have always been and will always be a joyous source of inspiration for me.
