Father 2 Son
Hear this and pay close attention to the details of this conversation from the heart to my heart.
I have been a victim to the urge to be different my son. I have travelled the road less traveled against winds and storms.
I was never there for you, other than financial obligations towards you. I have been the true definition of the word mistake. I took the high stakes of life, rebelled against it all, fought losing battles and came out the other side as you see me today with all these scars and aging signs, but I still stand to deliver my final speech to you my most loved.
It’s hard for a guy like me to admit to his mistakes admittedly to his young off spring. As I look into your eyes today, I see my free soul running wild, and I like what I see, I love the fire of youth, I love the dreams, I love the ambition, I love your way, any way you choose I will back you, but hear this;
This world is yours for taking, grab it by the horns.
People come in different sizes and shapes, cultures and colors, respect and explore that. Give them time to talk, listen to their stories before you tell them yours, get involved, stay focused and make your own judgements of people, not the gossipers and bad mouths.
Money means a lot, save it for the pouring rainy days, there will be many, enjoy it and make it work for you, never become its slave, or any mans slave for that matter, stand tall, follow your dreams, do what you like and you will tame the beast. It does not equal happiness, it makes it easier, but in no way the true meaning of it.
Work is never work when you love what you do, love what you do, create. Work your way up from the ground, so when you are flying in the clouds you know what’s going on down there. Respect everyone, listen efficiently and learn from others, work hard and smart. Never stay put in one place more than three years, or less. Change careers and grow, stay put and fade out.
Love will knock on your door, don’t go knocking on doors for it, it always comes to you. When you find it, give it all you got, and then some more. It can break you when things go wrong, but it will make you stronger, don’t let it make you too strong my son, have mercy on the new to love people, love.
Happiness, stay happy my son, look at the bright things in life, for everything you see is a creation of Allah all mighty, in it lies the secrets of life you seek, in it you will find more meaning and happiness than the daily things that get you down, seek and take care of the happy crowd that surround you, smile more, laugh much more.
Negativity: Nothing in this life bothered me more than that ill word and meaning, nothing kept me down, lost me opportunities that stared me in the eye more than negativity. Burn it, destroy it, run from it, replace it with positivity and you will reach your goals.
Family: You only have on family, seek them, cherish them, enjoy them, be yourself with them, forgive them, share with them, save them, guide them, love them and most of all don’t waste time my son, once they are gone, they will never be seen again.
Fun: make sure you have lots of it, balance is a good thing, if you can’t so what! Incorporate fun in everything you do, what’s wrong with jumping on a table in front of the CEO in a meeting( do not do this unless you are leaving the work force forever!, actually forget I ever said that!).
Age: Is a number, nothing more, life is stages, each decade is a stage, be the top performer of each stage, rock on son! If you like 18, stay 18 for the rest of your life, simplify things and live it to the max.
Travel: Each country is a page in a big book called earth, travel more, stay open to new ideas, share your culture in a positive way, you are the ambassador of two ; Your country and heritage and me, Go boast it Tiger!
Music: Stay open to the new and love the old, listen to what you like, share your love and explore different beats and rhythms, dance like its 1969! as if you would know, I don’t so how could you? They say it was the craziest time in the last 100 years?
Books: Take it from me son, the more you read the more attached you become, the more you read the less you know, there is so much out there that needs to be covered and learned. Imagine having a 1000 people in one big room waiting to educate you hands on, engineers, chemists, businessmen, famous women, presidents and Kings, preachers and lawyers, teachers and doctors, musicians, philosophers every known profession, they can be you know, all you have to do is look them up at a library, if that’s too boring, buy them online or pass by a bookstore while sipping your favorite soda.. read more every day, grow twice as fast as everyone beside you.
Friends: The ones you made in school are your best bet, everything seems to be artificial after that, except for a few exceptions here and there. Stand by them, they are your brothers and sisters from another mother. Never forget them in life’s busy roads, make time for them, in the end you will end up with two or three very close ones, but keep an eye out for more.
There is so much I want to pass on to you son, so little time, lets make the best of what is left and learn from one another. Yes, I need you to teach me again what its like to be young and wild again, I seem to have gone stale. Teach me what it means to say it as it is, play it safe or not safe, go crazy, enjoy the little things in life, put the world on ignore!
One last word. I wish you from the bottom of my heart success, happiness, growth and love in anything you choose today, college, life, whatever you want is yours, and I back you on your decision, what can I say, I am a true sucker for my loved ones, and you my son, you my brave handsome smart son, are my ambassador to the world, and I, your father, am as proud as anyone can ever be, you light up my world son, I love you.
mamdooh.alradadi is wondering where the years went? in Jeddah, september 8th 2010
me@mamdoohalradadi.com
Organizations, compensation, career advancement in the Arab World Mercy