A Father’s Words of Wisdom About Pursuing Your Dreams – Goodwill Edition

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we’re thinking about all of the things our fathers and father-like figures have done for us – including helping to shape the people that we are today both in and outside of the workplace.

With that in mind, we asked our team members at Goodwill to share words of wisdom – ones that they pass on to their children about pursuing their dreams, whatever they might be.

Nate Benham, a College & Career Readiness Specialist at our Goodwill Excel Center, kicks off this wisdom round-up with a message to all father-like figures in the community.

Fathers – On this day, I want to remind you of your responsibility to yourself, your kids, or your household and your duty to the community.

Fathers – You are the original DIY (do it yourself) person. You teach responsibility, resilience, and courting to young ladies and boys alike. Remember how you taught us to change tires on our bikes? Or how to fish? You taught us survival skills, and we didn’t even know it.

Fathers – You taught us how to listen and not just hear to be problem seekers and solvers. Thus, enabling us to become operations and project managers.

For this, we thank you!

With unconditional love, respect, and admiration.

Happy Father’s Day!

– Nate S. Benham

Moe, an extraordinary Team Member at our DC Goodwill South Dakota Avenue location has two sons, ages 10 and 12. When it comes to pursuing their dreams, he guides them with the following words of wisdom.

Keep pushing and do not give up on anything that you start. If it’s something that you love, just go for it. Go for your goals. Everything will come to you eventually. As long as you keep it in your heart, it’s going to happen.

James Schaffer, Goodwill’s Area Safety and Loss Prevention Specialist, offered career advice that he shares with his two step-daughters.

You can anything you put your mind to. Find out what you’re passionate about and pursue that. If you find that you don’t enjoy your job – then don’t stay for long. Keep it until you find something that you’re truly passionate about. Nothing can stop you when you excel at something you love. Also, when you do have any job, give it your all. Seek to be the best. That’s when opportunities come.

Pat Philippe, our Senior Director of Workforce Development, shared some words about being a father to two bright girls.

Being the father of a 13- and 4-year-old girls is one of the greatest honors of my life, the most important duty I have been assigned, while simultaneously being one of the most difficult jobs in the world.  For me, being a father means a lot of things; It means showing love, and not expecting anything in return.  Modeling God’s grace, especially at unlovable moments.  It also means being a hero, and a disciplinarian.  Being their cheerleader and the one to push them to be the best version of themselves.  Saying “I’ll take care of it” when you have no idea how.  Being a father means understanding that as you are raising them, you’re still growing up yourself. Being a father means loving without boundaries.

Our President and CEO, Catherine Meloy, will also be remembering her dear father this holiday, continuing to practice his words of wisdom with grace.

My precious and much-loved father is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A man of great faith, his words of advice were…”Hand over your issues to God and then get out of His way”.  Sage advice from a man I treasure and miss now that he is no longer with us.

Our Chief of Expansion, Jeff Cole, shared a unique poem that we all can put into practice.

Once a task is first begun

Never leave it ‘til it’s done

Be the task great or small

Do it well or not at all

His father (who died when Dad was just 15) used to recite this to him often, and Dad has recited it to my two brothers and me many times over the years.

Willie, a Goodwill North Rockville, MD Team Member, was recently promoted to a Retail Team Lead because of his hard work and dedication. He instills these traits in his 18 year old son with the below wisdom.

Surround yourself with people who are positive. Their positivity and drive will have an effect on you – which will help you achieve your goals.

In your free time, listen to and read motivational, spiritual and meditative resources. They can keep you grounded and focused.

Talby Afable, Goodwill’s Team Member Relations Manager of our Office of People and Culture, shared meaningful remarks from his grandparents.

From my grandparents when we immigrated from the Philippines in July of 1972.  I remember my grandparents pulling me aside, their eldest grandson:

“You are going to the Land of Opportunity.  Remember where YOU came from.

But do not keep looking back; if you do, you’ll end up in a ditch.”

As we approach Father’s Day, we honor the fathers who may and may not be physically with us. No matter where they are, we will keep their legacies going by continuously honoring their contributions to our lives and the world – and using their advice to guide our actions to build a better today and tomorrow.

After reviewing the advice above, do you remember any words of wisdom that the fathers and Dads in your lives have given you?