My number one lesson learned from dad is on the topic of being bold, taking ‘reasonable’ risks, and pushing the boundaries to stretch outside our comfort zone.

Now, before I go further it might help if I set the scene on the man himself.

My Dad came to England age 38 from India to study medicine and he was an economic migrant. He came because he had a wife, a mother and four children in India to support.

My Dad was a businessman through out his life with probably two brief stints of paid employment which he didn’t enjoy.

When I qualified as a Solicitor he wanted so much for me to have my own law practice. I went for the easy option but I see his point now.

My dad always reminded me to take risks,  to be bold, and to stretch outside my comfort zone. That was his modus operandi,  fear never held him back.

When we bought our current home it was in my opinion outside our budget but in my dad’s view it wasn’t. He would say to build equity you must borrow,  and if you borrow you’ll will work hard to pay it back quickly, and be more focused. He was right.

When my mother walked out my dad was only 51. He ran his businesses, raised five children and still had time to help set up the first ever Hindu Temple in the UK,  in our great city of Leeds. I forgot to add he also had time for our first German shepherd dog, Asha. Where he got the energy and power from I don’t know but he always had absolute belief in himself.

After he retired age 85, he and I visited a few care homes in Leicester. Why ? Because he wanted us to buy a care home. I smile as I write this. We visited around 10 such homes on the pretence I was looking for a home for my dad, little did they know, we, the formidable father and daughter,  were actually on a fact finding mission. The care home project did not materialise in his life but he’s sown a seed and I have that dream in my heart to accomplish.

I could relay many stories from his life but his lesson to me to be bold, take risks and stretch the boundaries now make total sense.

After I lost my dad I lost my fear and I began to take risks whereas before I was too cautious and what I considered to be unreasonable risks were shrouded by my fears of what if I fail.

To conclude, my dad would say life is too short to live in the mediocre lane. Be bold, take reasonable risks and stretch the boundaries from impossible to possible.

Thank you for reading this post. If it resonates please like it, and repost it with your thoughts. Together we can raise our awareness and grow. 🙏

© DMP