Lessons From Dad
@lessonsfromdad.bsky.social
I’ve been sending my kids e-mails for more than a decade with reflections and life advice. These are Lessons From Dad.
I don’t pretend to have it all figured out but I have witnessed enough cautionary tales to know we must keep trying to resist capitalism or risk becoming its victims.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
I don’t pretend to have it all figured out but I have witnessed enough cautionary tales to know we must keep trying to resist capitalism or risk becoming its victims.
We have no choice but to live in a capitalist society but we can choose how to live and how to empower ourselves through our choices.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
We have no choice but to live in a capitalist society but we can choose how to live and how to empower ourselves through our choices.
By strengthening our knowledge in different areas, including economic systems, and informing ourselves based on diverse perspectives and evidence-based research to remain empowered and boost our critical thinking skills, we become more aware of the world around us and resist the harms of capitalism.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
By strengthening our knowledge in different areas, including economic systems, and informing ourselves based on diverse perspectives and evidence-based research to remain empowered and boost our critical thinking skills, we become more aware of the world around us and resist the harms of capitalism.
By saving our money, building an emergency fund, living within our means, and managing credit and debt responsibly, we resist the harms of capitalism.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
By saving our money, building an emergency fund, living within our means, and managing credit and debt responsibly, we resist the harms of capitalism.
By purchasing the things we need and being thoughtful about items that are nice to have, recognizing we are constantly being sold to, we resist the harms of capitalism
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
By purchasing the things we need and being thoughtful about items that are nice to have, recognizing we are constantly being sold to, we resist the harms of capitalism
By investing in and caring for our physical and mental health, and making sound nutritional choices, we resist the harms of capitalism.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
By investing in and caring for our physical and mental health, and making sound nutritional choices, we resist the harms of capitalism.
By not conflating our self-worth with our career status and valuing our time outside of work, we resist the harms of capitalism.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
By not conflating our self-worth with our career status and valuing our time outside of work, we resist the harms of capitalism.
This means being conscientious about your career, health, consumerism, finances and knowledge.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
This means being conscientious about your career, health, consumerism, finances and knowledge.
I don’t expect perfection because it doesn’t exist. But I do expect thoughtful consideration of your choices to minimize the harms capitalism can bring into your lives.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
I don’t expect perfection because it doesn’t exist. But I do expect thoughtful consideration of your choices to minimize the harms capitalism can bring into your lives.
In a system like this, we’ve got to do what we reasonably can to fight back.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
In a system like this, we’ve got to do what we reasonably can to fight back.
We live in a capitalist system trying to extract as much of our money, time, attention, health and labour as it possibly can.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
We live in a capitalist system trying to extract as much of our money, time, attention, health and labour as it possibly can.
It took me awhile to wrap my head around this particular lesson. Mostly, because I continue to struggle with it myself.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
It took me awhile to wrap my head around this particular lesson. Mostly, because I continue to struggle with it myself.
And yet our only path following a loss is forward. It’s important to acknowledge the loss, and the feelings associated, consider the learning opportunities from the experience and then move onto what’s next. That last step may be the hardest. Ultimately, though, it’s all we can do.
November 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
And yet our only path following a loss is forward. It’s important to acknowledge the loss, and the feelings associated, consider the learning opportunities from the experience and then move onto what’s next. That last step may be the hardest. Ultimately, though, it’s all we can do.
The Blue Jays losing the World Series in a heartbreaking Game 7 is what led me to share this lesson with you. Losses can be painful in baseball and in life. They can feel like something approximating a punch to the mouth and sting for days, weeks, even years, though time and distance can dull this.
November 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The Blue Jays losing the World Series in a heartbreaking Game 7 is what led me to share this lesson with you. Losses can be painful in baseball and in life. They can feel like something approximating a punch to the mouth and sting for days, weeks, even years, though time and distance can dull this.
Asking for what we want won’t guarantee we get it but it does create the opportunity for others to understand what we value. This doesn’t replace the critical step of taking action to pursue what we want but it does precede it. Validate your needs and watch the world bring you happiness in return.
November 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Asking for what we want won’t guarantee we get it but it does create the opportunity for others to understand what we value. This doesn’t replace the critical step of taking action to pursue what we want but it does precede it. Validate your needs and watch the world bring you happiness in return.
All human beings have needs and desires and aspirations. But unless we’re willing to name and vocalize them, then the likelihood of them being met or fulfilled is low or none at all. It’s a duty to ourselves, our potential and our happiness to ask for what we want and need in this life.
November 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
All human beings have needs and desires and aspirations. But unless we’re willing to name and vocalize them, then the likelihood of them being met or fulfilled is low or none at all. It’s a duty to ourselves, our potential and our happiness to ask for what we want and need in this life.
We won’t always be considerate, thoughtful or empathetic with others, nor they us, but it can be what we strive for.
I believe operating this way can truly leave a lasting impact on people’s lives. They may not remember much about you but you can bet they’ll remember how you made them feel.
I believe operating this way can truly leave a lasting impact on people’s lives. They may not remember much about you but you can bet they’ll remember how you made them feel.
October 17, 2025 at 2:16 AM
We won’t always be considerate, thoughtful or empathetic with others, nor they us, but it can be what we strive for.
I believe operating this way can truly leave a lasting impact on people’s lives. They may not remember much about you but you can bet they’ll remember how you made them feel.
I believe operating this way can truly leave a lasting impact on people’s lives. They may not remember much about you but you can bet they’ll remember how you made them feel.
We remember the people who make us feel special. We remember the people who make us feel small. Today’s lesson encourages you to consider how you make others feel, and how they make you feel, through your respective actions and words.
October 17, 2025 at 2:16 AM
We remember the people who make us feel special. We remember the people who make us feel small. Today’s lesson encourages you to consider how you make others feel, and how they make you feel, through your respective actions and words.
If there is no danger, it may be worth pushing through the tension, to find out what follows next and see how far you can go.
October 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
If there is no danger, it may be worth pushing through the tension, to find out what follows next and see how far you can go.
So, if you’re unsure you can do something, something you haven’t tried before, your mind might make you feel tense or uncomfortable to protect you from the pain of possibly failing at that new challenge. If that challenge puts you or others in danger, the discomfort is probably warranted.
October 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
So, if you’re unsure you can do something, something you haven’t tried before, your mind might make you feel tense or uncomfortable to protect you from the pain of possibly failing at that new challenge. If that challenge puts you or others in danger, the discomfort is probably warranted.
Think about anything you’ve accomplished in your life. How did you feel at the outset of that journey? Our brains try to protect us from pain and keep us safe.
October 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Think about anything you’ve accomplished in your life. How did you feel at the outset of that journey? Our brains try to protect us from pain and keep us safe.
Tension and discomfort, by definition, sound pretty bad. And when you reflect on how they make you feel, it usually isn’t great. But despite that, I believe we need some tension and discomfort in our lives because they often precede anything you want to achieve or an area in which you wish to grow.
October 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Tension and discomfort, by definition, sound pretty bad. And when you reflect on how they make you feel, it usually isn’t great. But despite that, I believe we need some tension and discomfort in our lives because they often precede anything you want to achieve or an area in which you wish to grow.
Everyday we’re confronted with moments where action is required of us. On many of these occasions, you’ll find yourself reflecting whether your actions were “good enough.” You’ll ask yourself: “Did I do enough?” My perspective? Whatever you have to give in a particular moment will always be enough.
October 4, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Everyday we’re confronted with moments where action is required of us. On many of these occasions, you’ll find yourself reflecting whether your actions were “good enough.” You’ll ask yourself: “Did I do enough?” My perspective? Whatever you have to give in a particular moment will always be enough.
We’ve got to direct our self talk with intentionality and talk to ourselves in the most empathetic, optimistic and encouraging ways possible. Talk to yourself like you’re talking to your best friend or your child or the person you admire most in the world. Talk to yourself like I would talk to you.
September 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
We’ve got to direct our self talk with intentionality and talk to ourselves in the most empathetic, optimistic and encouraging ways possible. Talk to yourself like you’re talking to your best friend or your child or the person you admire most in the world. Talk to yourself like I would talk to you.
Your inner thoughts can’t always be trusted. They may try to trick you into believing your fears and insecurities. They may try to convince you you’re not enough or not deserving of love or respect or unworthy of opportunity and success. But such thoughts are self-limiting lies we tell ourselves.
September 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Your inner thoughts can’t always be trusted. They may try to trick you into believing your fears and insecurities. They may try to convince you you’re not enough or not deserving of love or respect or unworthy of opportunity and success. But such thoughts are self-limiting lies we tell ourselves.