I Still Listen To A Dead Old Man
Oops, did that creep you out?
If you think there’s nothing creepier than a living soul listening to a dead old man, you’re wrong. In fact, I listen to him during day breaks, while having an afternoon workout, and every night before I fall asleep.
Nope, I have no supernatural powers like that of Ed Caluag.
You might not realize this but you, yes you, may also be doing the same thing. Spooky, isn’t it?
Now before burying yourself fully-covered under the blanket, refresh the books you’ve read or the movies you’ve seen. I’m pretty sure at least one of your favorite authors, actors, or even influencers and athletes have already found their way to a blissful afterlife.
And perhaps, you’re still reading their books, watching their movies, visiting their social media, or replaying their games until now.
As for me though, I recently found myself being deeply fascinated by a dead old man named Jim Rohn.
Jim had peacefully departed at a not-so-young age of 79 (1930–2009). He began his career as a stock clerk. In his mid-twenties, Jim attended a seminar led by a late American entrepreneur and motivational speaker, John Earl Shoaff, and that changed his life forever.
Jim ended as one of the wealthiest and most inspirational speakers of his time.
Jim is the man behind the ever-famous line “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” Yet aside from Rohn’s inspirational and motivating talks, his candid and witty behavior is something that will captivate you.
To cite one, you might want to hear more about his funny list entitled “Reasons for Not Looking Good”:
The takeaway of that video clip is it’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how you react to what has happened and how you take responsibility for your actions.
I don’t just listen to Jim’s talks once. I mostly go over them twice or more especially if it offers something I could use to strategically overcome my current life situation. One of the talks he had which I repeatedly listen to is Seasons in Life. It’s also one of the books he’s written.
“Life and business is like the changing seasons. You cannot change the seasons. That’s impossible. But you can change yourself.”
Jim Rohn, Seasons in Life
I also listen to another dead man
I listen to another dead man — My Father.
I lost my father last September 2020 (not COVID related) and as I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, it’s one of the most difficult winters I have to go through even until this day.
My father was a smart and very talented yet humble man. He’s the most hardworking man I know who started working at an early age to provide for his family. He actually landed a great overseas job in his thirties but due to life’s funny punches, he ended up working as a laborer for most of his life.
Yes, I’m a daughter of a laborer. And I’m proud of that. Because despite how tormenting and low-paying the job is, my father was able to successfully raise a licensed civil engineer.
I saw how my father cracked a few bones, had his thumb burst by a hammer, and had his palms scorched by tile plasters.
Yet despite all those, he stayed on that job for decades in order to provide for our needs. We came from nothing. I came from nothing. But that very same insignificance pushed me to hustle my way through life. All I wanted was to give a good life to my family — my father specifically.
After all the sacrifices he made, however, my father died a poor man. Yep, that’s one of the most painful truths I have to face head-on. Because aside from our lost time which I spent more on hustling, I wasn’t really able to provide the life he deserved. As a daughter, I know a failed on that part. And it hurts. So bad.
Until now, I always revisit the lessons my father gave me. I’m actually the girl version of him. My personality is very similar to his.
One of the best lessons I got from him is to never look down on other people regardless of their status. In my four years of working as a civil engineer, I have come across laborers with who I got along really well.
During my free hours at work, I actually go out to have a few conversations and know more about them and their life stories. And you know what I found out? Just like my father, they’re the most generous and kindest people I ever met, especially the older ones. They often give me advice like I’m their daughter.
Those very moments gave me a clearer view of the word privilege. Most of them are smart, wise, skillful, and hardworking who had big dreams for themselves and for their families. But because of the limited resources they had, they’re stuck in limiting situations because that’s all they have to get by.
I have so much respect for laborers. In fact, I get hurt when I see some people look down on them. Please don’t. You have no idea how mentally and physically draining their job is. That despite being underpaid, they chose to stick with their job to provide for their families in the noblest way possible.
Another great lesson my father gave me is to always offer help with the little I’ve got, as long as it’s something I am not afraid to lose.
I guess this is what life will teach you if you came from nothing. If you’ve experienced not having anything except financial and life turmoils, you’ll eventually become more attentive to other people’s struggles because you know exactly how it feels to have nothing.
What kind of legacy will you leave?
The late Jim Rohn and my late father may already be pushing up daises but their lives still remain in this world. They have passed down a legacy that will forever remain and will possibly continue in a few lifetimes or so.
I’m a product of these legends. And now, I’m creating my own legacy with the life lessons these superstars had passed down on me.
People remember you for the legacy you’ve created, not for how you look or how you got scared of a flying cockroach. But no, you don’t need to become an influential person to create one. My father is one good example that you don’t need the limelight to inspire others.
Start with your family, your kids, and your friends. How will you touch other people’s lives out of your circle if you weren’t able to do that inside your own circle?
This is my story. And with every article I post, I’m leaving a legacy. How about you? How do you want to be remembered?
In Memory Of
Jim Rohn – 79 years old (1930–2009)
Dionidito – 58 years old (1962-2020)
Thank you for your lives, they made me live mine.
Sheila
Sheila is a civil engineer by profession but has switched careers to become a copywriter. She loves making sales through stories that are relatable to the average person. She's also a sucker for memes and thinks she’s the funniest person in the world (even though she knows that’s not true). Her favorite drink is Kopiko Brown coffee, but she'll also take tea or beer if it's offered.
31 Comments
Jojisilia Villamor
Indeed, you have a beautiful soul; an emotional and intellectual sophistication. You are
someone with a kind, giving nature–someone genuine, balanced, and understanding. There should be more people like you to make others feel safe and at peace in this world.
Sheila
Thank you so much Ms. Joji. I’m speechless. This made me teary-eyed 🥺🥺🥺
Juls
Beautifully- written shei! I love it! This validates my purpose which is helping test takers. ❤️
Sheila
Thanks Juls! I’m so proud of you and what you have become. Parang kailan lang mag 3 yrs na ang site and a year for your channel.
Charisma Sevilla
I feel all your pain in losing your father. It must have been hard for you. But your father’s legacy lives in you. The way you continue to inspire others and be a lighthouse for those who needs assurance and hope. You are making a difference, following alongside the footprints of those that inspired you as well.
Hugs,
Charisma
Sheila
Thanks for your kind words, Charisma :'(
Hugs!!!
Margrette Ann Juriedene Sinajon
so inspiring to read, i thought na maminaw jud ka actual soul talking to you directly, but turns our the author and your father has been in your thoughts.. i cant imagine the day na mawa ako papa, i hope i will be strong enough to face that
Sheila
It’s really hard but eventually we have to face it one way or another. Mao samtang naa pa sila, let’s not take the time for granted gyud :'(
Jn Kaye
It was really inspiring to read ma’am shei. For sure your Daddy is smiling from ear to ear up above because he raised a good daughter in you.
Sheila
Thanks Kaye! 🥺🥺🥺
Jullian Robin Sibi
Listening to people who are older than you is really important because we may tend to repeat the same mistakes that they went through even if the situations are slightly different.
Here’s hoping we learn more and more from them so we can share those lessons to the future generation. 🙂
Sheila
Indeed Jul! We should always listen to the older ones. Not just because they’re older but because they have already experienced what we’re going through.
DMJ Vlogs
Great advice, it’s definitely what you do with your situation.
The last part of the article made me a bit teary-eyed. My mom went to sleep 7 years ago and my dad was a bus driver, now a truck driver in the US. So I felt a bit connected to this while reading it. When I was younger, I was a bit excited and scare to transfer schools in our Motherland(PH), but wondered about my new classmates because I got weird looks from them when they heard what my dad’s job was a truck driver.
God bless your heart. You’re doing great! I’m sure your dad is proud of you and what you’re doing!
-MJ
Sheila
I’m so sorry for your loss MJ. I know your mom dad are very proud of what you have become pud. 💖
DMJ Vlogs
People with low-paying jobs are people too so treat them kindly. You are so kind, keep it up! <3
-MJ
Sheila
Indeed. Thanks MJ!
GJ Perino
Indeed, I didn’t see it coming you are really a great storyteller Sheila 🙂 I love how Jim and your father influenced you as a beautiful soul and inspirational writer.
Sheila
Thanks GJ! 😀
Roneth Politud
Thank you for sharing with us the legacy of your father. He is a wonderful soul and I’m sure that you got that passion and amazing sense of purpose to create ripples of goodness around you. Every time, I read your post, I am always surprised by what you are about to share and say. Thank you!
Sheila
Thanks Roneth! 🥺🥺🥺
Margaux Camaya
Totally agree that we learn from stories that are told to us. I love listening to my older relatives when they were still alive. Their experiences were different and the same in some ways…I miss their stories and lessons.
Sheila
Indeed. And it amazes us more knowing how they’ve handled the tough times they had.
Armie Garde
Sheila, you didn’t fail your father, that I am certain. While you want to give him more, YOU alone is more than enough for him. 🙂 Thank you for sharing this moving story. I appreciate you for being you, Shei. You are one of the most loving and genuine souls I have ever met, virtually for now, and I hope to hang out with you in person. <3 Keep inspiring! Love, Armie
Sheila
Thank you so much Armie! Same!!! I’d really love to hang out with you in person. I’m pretty sure we’d go along very well ✨✨✨
Angel
I read along with your article and felt every punch of your words! I was thinking that I would be reading authors and inspirational speakers who died but I didn’t expect reading something beyond that. Thank you for sharing this bit of your life and self, Sheila!
Sheila
Hi Angel! Thanks as well for taking some time to read my life stories. It really means a lot! 😊
Rain
I always believe that the day you lost the most important person/people in your life is not the saddest day but the days moving forward after they are gone. You already know I lost my mom at an early age. And there are still days I’m wondering what is still my purpose in life. I mean even if I achieve something, I don’t have the most important person in my life by my side anymore. So what is still the point of achieving things, right? But if you think deeply, they are not really dead. Because dead means no longer alive, but it’s not only pertaining to physical body. Yes they are gone, but their memories with us, their advices, their faces, still live on (on us) because we choose to. Just like how you choose to still listen to Jim Rohn and your Dad. They are with us until we die as long as we choose to.
Sheila
Thankssss Rain! And thanks for extending your support during my darkest moments din. I couldn’t thank you enough. You’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever known! Sending light and love to our grieving yet brave hearts!
Katie Scarlett
What a beautifully written post, Sheila. I can sympathize with you as a daughter of a poor man. In my case, my father was a taxi driver. I also have my father’s strong personality so we always clash but at the end of the day, we’re there for each other.
I like your concluding sentence that you are a product of dead men’s legacies. We all are and the lessons they impart in us will remain for a long time, and if we’re lucky, we’ll pass these lessons on to our own children.
XOXO
Katie Scarlett
Sheila
Woaaah it’s such an honor! Thanks for dropping by, Katie! And indeed, we are nothing without these influential souls who literally saved us years of exploring ourselves by imparting their lessons to us. And if there’s one thing I’m thankful for growing up in a poor household, it propelled me to dream big and take action. I don’t even need inspirational quotes to inspire me. Being poor is more than enough reason. ahahah
Pingback: