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Father Knows Best

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Father’s Day is upon us and although I’m unable to be at home with my dad this year, I’d like to take this moment to pay homage to the man who is responsible for and nourishes the entrepreneurial spirit I have today. My dad is one of the coolest brothas around and while he has the youthful spirit of a 25-year-old, he also comes equipped with an amazing amount of old school wisdom that he shares with me and my sister almost daily!

One of the most recent and poignant bits of wisdom I’ve received from dad (via Mark 9:23) is short, sweet and goes a little something like this:

“Everything is possible for him who believes!”

As a woman who prefers to take the path less taken, this is the best advice I could have ever received from someone who is living proof of how hard work and commitment truly pays off.

I caught up with a few movers and shakers, including our very own Kamari, to get a taste of their daddy’s priceless wisdom and here’s what they had to say:

Renee Neufville

Singer/Songwriter

My father, Albert Neufville, is truly one of my heroes and all my life he has provided me the best example of what a man should be. I remember him telling me once “Ren, a relationship is about balance. If there is no balance it is charity.”

Kamari Guthrie

PR Executive & In Her Shoes Contributor

The best advice I’ve ever received from my father was when I was six years old. He said, “if you believe, you can achieve.”  It sounds corny but he told me to write down my dreams because it helps strengthen your faith in them. Sometimes when you see your vision right there on paper in front of you, it comes to life. Next thing you know, you’re making your dreams come true!

Lizz Fields

Singer/Songwriter & Educator

As a young girl, I would watch my dad work on the house, fix the car, and do all of these amazing things. One day I asked him how he knows how to do all of this stuff and his response was: “anything you need to know and want to do in life can be found in a book.” As simple as this wisdom is, I carry it with me at all times and pass it down to the young people I meet from day to day.

Nakia Thomas

Attorney & Fashion Blogger, StyleChile

I distinctly remember crying about my nose back when we were living in Jamaica. I wanted plastic surgery because I thought it was too big and although he is a man of little words, my dad taught me the importance of loving and embracing myself the way I am.

Ashaki

Singer/Songwriter

My dad always told me that when you become an adult the choices you make define your life. He always reminded me that I am one bad choice away from ruining my life. I can admit that it was a bit harsh but it definitely helped me to keep life in perspective!

Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik

Blogger/Journalist: Afrobella and AOL Black Voices

When I was a rebellious teenage bella, my dad always repeated two phrases. The first was, “if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”  We kids used to clown him for that cliche and it was repeated most often when we had to study for exams at school, but it’s proven to be so true in many other circumstances. My dad taught me the importance of hard work, focus, and diligence and those lessons have stood me in amazing stead. Without the lessons he taught me, I wouldn’t be Afrobella today.

So, in traditional In Her Shoes fashion you know I have to ask, what’s the best piece of advice your dad has ever shared with you? Don’t be shy. We’re all ears…

As a New York City storyteller, filmmaker, digital content creator, and PR strategist, Renae Bluitt created "In Her Shoes" to empower and enlighten women committed to realizing their dreams.

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