The Best Lesson My Father Ever Taught Me!

I’ve lived a very full life in the forty-three years I’ve been alive. It has not been devoid of pain or struggle. Nor has it been devoid of joy and excitement. I believe I’ve had my equal share of both. Between the two, I found my life…coming full circle after many twists and turns.

Luckily, I can say that, and I attribute this truth to the single most important lesson my father ever taught me….”Never take the easy way out as it never proves to be the easier way!” It’s because of this wise advice that I sit here today, filled with much wisdom of my own and pride in my accomplishments.

Having buried a wonderful husband at a very young age, I was left to raise four small kids on my own while transitioning two family owned companies. If that wasn’t enough, my enlightened social and global conscious led me to become an advocate for kids and the world, further leading me to launch a third company based upon a successful children’s entertainment series and brand I created called The Wumblers – my current work. It doesn’t stop there. A little over a year ago, I met another wonderful man and remarried, immersing us in the merging of two great families, and then another little blessing decided to join us in the process…our, now two week old son, Austen.

What resulted from meeting this deluge of events with stamina, grit, courage, intelligence and commitment (the harder road) was personal and professional freedom, liberation, comfort, confidence, and satisfaction in my entire life.

Just like at retail, quality comes with a price. Quality of life is no different. These are words my older children have grown up with and little Austen will come to know. They have been added to the wisdom my father left me and, I pray, they continue to be passed on through each generation our family beholds as no greater gift could I bequeath.

Bottom line, keeping your head on straight and your priorities in check will not be easy in life. An extraordinary number of people will fail at it, trading short term ease for long term heartache, then riddle their lives with excuses when they do. But, denial becomes a heavy burden over time, much heavier and more strenuous then the many footsteps that left their imprints on the harder road of life.

In choosing to leave a legacy behind, leave one of promise and pride rather than denial and regret. Combine positive influence with posterity and note the many possibilities that arise!

Laura J.. Wellington-Gerry is the CEO of The Giddy Gander Company and the creator of The Wumblers global children series and brand, www.wumblers.com, www.wumblerpatch.com.