My father never showed his emotions until a few years ago. He used to picture himself as a strong and independent man. So, many times, me and my sister thought he didn’t love us enough.Kids often fail to understand their parents’ behavior. And we weren’t unique. But under his grumpy shield, my father always loved us. And he tried to teach us what he thought was better for our future.Thanks to his sacrifice, I learned I could reach anything, even the most challenging dreams.

2 — Love defeats any sacrifice.

You are reading an exert from <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com">The Challenge</a>, a newsletter where I discuss self-improvement, goal-setting, habits, time-management, and health tips and tricks.Every week you will get:<ul><li>a challenge to pursue to improve your life</li><li>an infographic to track it.</li></ul><a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com">Subscribe now </a>to help me continue publishing this type of content.

The Challenge

You can make two choices in your life:<ul><li>You can have a life full of passions and never achieve anything extraordinary.</li><li>Or you can obsess over one purpose and get the best out of it.</li></ul>In the first case, you won’t achieve anything. But if you pick perseverance, you could create a life of opportunities. You could make a change in any direction you decide to take. And the only thing you have to learn is perseverance.Dad was tenacious, and his discipline paid off dividends. So learn to be perseverant. Pick your purpose and obsess over it. Become one with your passion, and it will pay off.

6 — Perseverance always pays off.

My father had many flaws. But not accepting any idea that was different from his was the worst.He had a hard time trusting people. So he didn’t trust me when I told him I wanted to become a writer.We fought a lot over this. But I am more stubborn than him — it’s one of my best qualities. So over time, he got more open-minded. Fighting for my ideas helped me find a strong desire to prove him wrong. So fight for what you value because nobody can tell you what that is.

5 — Fight for what matters to you.

“Studying is your job. Everything else is on me” — I’ve heard this sentence hundreds of times. But for my father, allowing me to study and seek my path was crucial.He didn’t need to tell me. But he insisted every time he saw a negative trend in my grades.He was often harsh on me and my sister. Yet, without his discipline, I wouldn’t have gotten my position at my job. Most of what I own is thanks to the commitment I learned in school. So you have to get good grades. Otherwise, you won’t be ready for what comes later.

4 — You have to get good grades.

Dad lost his parents while he was away. So he couldn’t give his last goodbye to both of them. I know he suffered, but he never blamed anyone for it.He talks about it a lot. Sometimes, I think this is his way of reconnecting with them. But even in the worst pain, he never lost his smile.There’s nothing more important than cherishing joyful moments with the people you love the most. And there shouldn’t be time for grudges or resentment in your lives.

7 — Never lose your smile.

I didn’t always have a great relationship with my father. Many kids don’t have it, and it’s ok. So everything I learned from him was from mere observation.To be honest, we learned to appreciate each other only in the last few yearswe lived apart. I never stopped loving my dad. And I needed his affirmation.But he was an authoritative person who wouldn’t give it. So it took years to smooth our characters and meet in the middle.Here are 7 lessons I learned from my father that improved my life forever.

The Son-Father Relationship

My father was born in a poor village. He found a beautiful wife, my mother, and had two children.I don’t know how much you know about poor villagers and their lives. But if I had to describe them, I would use two words: hope and stillness.<ul><li>Poor villagers always hope for a better life.</li><li>But they never take action, so they hardly change their life.</li></ul>But my father never settled. He wanted his family to live better. He wanted his kids to have a better chance at life. So he broke the cycle and went abroad. And then he brought us with him.Here are the 7 lessons I learned from him in all these years.

The Man I Wish To Be

Toxic family members happen. Sometimes, they could even be your parents. But fortunately, my family wasn’t one of those cases. We always helped each other, so it was easy to love all of them.But Dad taught me that family is not only about getting help. And although its members are the best support you can find, you must cherish them every time you can.And dad always wanted to keep the family united. He demonstrated it by sacrificing to bring us here. And he shows it every time he calls everyone at his house to eat and party together.

3 — Family comes first.

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Before you go

When my father came to Italy for the first time, he thought everything would be more accessible. But first, he lost his parents. Then, his boss treated him as an animal that could only work. He was misunderstood and underpaid. But he kept going through everything. Every time life challenges me, I remember his resilience. And I noticed that time and patience can bring you far. So if you are struggling to reach your goals, remember that:<ul><li>you live in a fast world — everything might finish in a moment</li><li>and if you give up now, you may have worked for nothing.</li></ul>

1 — Resilience is stronger than the odds.

I didn’t always have a great relationship with my father. But in the past few years, he taught me how to become the man I want to be. Here are 7 lessons I could never forget.

The guidance of my father shaped my life in ways I couldn't imagine. Here are 7 lessons I learned from my father that improved my life forever.