Hello Misfit Nation! Welcome to another edition of "Lessons for Hannah!" In November of 2016, we introduced a new format that we are putting alongside our regular episodes called “Lessons for Hannah.” Hannah is my daughter and one of the main inspirations for the Misfit Entrepreneur. I wanted to have a place where she could go and learn from her daddy and his Misfit friends throughout her life….even after I am gone. If you haven’t listened to the first episode of "Lessons for Hannah," I urge you to as it gives some more background and tells the amazing story of how Hannah came to be in our lives.
"Lessons for Hannah" are short, very useful, and sometimes comical lessons, that I have learned which I want to share with you and give to Hannah to help in your lives. Because I want Hannah to have these for her life, I’m going to speak as though I am talking directly to her. These episodes are a lot of fun and if you think there is a lesson that we should include in these episodes, please don’t hesitate to send it over to us at support@misfitentrepreneur.com. We’d love to share it.
This week’s Lesson for Hannah
Hannah, You’re getting a little older now. You’ve recently turned 7 years old and have entered first grade. As you start to grow more, build relationships, and be accountable for things like your grades and other things in your life, I’d like to talk to you about respect.
What is respect? The dictionary defines respect as due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others or a deep admiration of someone, their abilities, talents, etc. For example, I have deep respect in regard to both these areas for your mother. I respect her feelings, wishes, rights, etc. but I also greatly respect her amazing mind, beauty, talent, and capacity for love.
It’s important that you learn to understand respect, and might I say, learn to honor those you have in your life. At home, it is your mom, dad, family, friends, other parents, etc. At school, it is your teachers and other students.
Everyone you interact with deserves your respect. This can be tough because some people are hard to be around. They may have a bad attitude. They may not like you. They may not respect you. But, you must be the best version of yourself and show respect to them. Why, because it will make you a better person and it will allow you to have a bigger impact in your life – as well as have a deep respect for yourself.
I think this is part of the essence of what Jesus was saying when said, “Love your enemy.” Even your enemies or detractors in life deserve respect – even if they are lacking it themselves.
You see, I believe a lot of times, the people that have the bad attitude or disrespect others, or treat them poorly, do so because they don’t respect themselves. They don’t see the greatness in themselves or how truly amazing they are. Every individual has something, that as dictionary says about respect, that you can admire or show due regard for. But, if they can’t see it in themselves and respect themselves, it’s easy to understand why they cannot respect others.
Hannah, you have so much talent, ability, goodness, intelligence, and amazing attributes. Learn to respect them. Be humble about them. But respect them. Understand that they were given to you to make a difference in this world – and you can make a difference. Every day.
I love you,
Daddy Best
Quote: “I believe a lot of times, the people that have the bad attitude or disrespect others, or treat them poorly, do so because they don’t respect themselves”
Misfit 3: