Someone once told me.... and I will never forget it.

Look at me writing this before midnight.  So I've been thinking about this for a while and only one thing comes to mind.  It was said to me by my dad during one of our many "family arguments" about my maturity and readiness to live my own life.  Me, feeling like it was time for me to move out and start and him (playing the mouthpiece of my mother) saying no.  However, regardless of his position in this argument the thing he said to me was very encouraging and I have never forgotten it.  Here is the thing he told me that I will never forget:

"You are like a vicious pit bull who won't let anything get in your way. Unbeatable. Unstoppable..."  

I have to say that I'm unsure how this statement helped his argument that I was unready, at age 22 or so, to move out and start living my own life.  It was an odd animal comparison that I had never considered.  The rest of that argument faded away and I only remember this one statement; it gave me such confidence and even a bit of pride in myself and my ability to make things happen for myself and my life.  

I tend to be more of a soft spoken, tenderhearted, person who is generally concerned with the feelings and well being of others.  So being told I was like a pit bull, an animal known for its blood thirsty ferocity and fighter Spirit was surprising, and at the same time empowering.  It stuck with me because I always wished I could be more of a no nonsense bad ass and here my dad was telling me that I already was.  

My dad and I have had our big ups and downs in the last decade.  Out of necessity and sheer frustration I moved out of my parents home at age 25 (I'm a bit of a late bloomer, I know).  I had only my car that I bought myself, about $2000, and whatever possessions could fit inside it.  Over the next year I slept on couches and air mattresses, in storage trailers, in warehouses and barns, and even in my car for a few nights.  During these hard times, even though we were not on speaking terms I would still think back on that argument and what my dad told me about myself. I would remember and feel encouraged.  

Now as a married woman with 2 kids of my own I still think of that phrase when I feel frustration from work or fatigue from daily toils.  In fact, my life philosophy "like a beast" had its origin from what my dad told me nearly a decade ago.  

Why am I a beast?  Well, I guess its because my dad once told me I was.  

What has somebody told you that you will never forget? 

Leave your comments and subscribe for more of my 30 day writer's challenge.