Man-up, Lady-up
My daddy told me often. Man-up Johnnie, Life is hard and you must be harder. Life will toss you s**t, you must turn the s**t in self-motivation and hard-drive to better life. Don't lay down and die, get-up, show them. Can't beat you down.
I went to him with a somber face once. I told him, I lost my true love. He laughed at me and he told me. Man-up Johnnie, love can be nasty, women are crazy and men are foolish. Easy fix son, only way to repair a broken heart. Find a better woman.
My father told me. Don't wince and cry because you are Ojibwa and Mexican. Education, education and more education. Never allow anyone to look down at you. When I was in school, he told me often. Good grades or I will whip your a*s. Old type children raising. Good grade and education I did seek. Maybe fear motivated me? I thanks my father often for the hard love, discipline and concern. These three words make solid people.
Now I am the Grandfather. I teach the same lessons. I demand education for my children and my grandchildren. I told my children. You decide your journey, don't cry for mistakes. Man-up or lady-up for my three daughters. If you fall down, get-up ready to fight and go forward and do better.
Life is lesson and more lesson.
Oldest and wisest wisdom. Do at least one thing daily, you enjoy. Life goes by quickly. Do not forget who you are.
Johnnie/Coyote