I often wish I had inherited my Dad’s temperament, wit, and penchant for life. Despite the hardships he endured during WWII as a young internee in America’s incarceration camps, he lived out his life with zealous fervor. As a born leader, he played an active role in the Japanese American community for almost 50 years. At the ripe young age of 89, he taught himself to use the computer. Then at 90, he started taking oil painting classes. Never too late to acquire new skills he always told me.
Here are 9 things I learned from him:
- Laugh a lot – it’s good for the soul.
- Find a passion or hobby that you enjoy. And really work at it.
- Don’t stress too much – all of life’s problems eventually melt away
- Always consider your options, then make a decision, and stick by it.
- Always do the best you can and just go with the flow.
- It’s OK to call politicians “Bakatare or idiots” if you disagree with them.
- Keep up with current events – watch the news. Read the paper.
- Be an avid reader – it’s good for your brain.
- And lastly, drink lots of sake.
I strive every day to live my life as he did. I miss him dearly.
