#BestAdvice: Making Everyday Life a Masterwork

Dedicated to my father Juan and my brother Conrado

One could think that famous and recognized persons are the ones who can tell you everything about life... but in fact, the best lessons come from anonymous people.

My father happened to be a very humble man who fought against adversity since he was a child, but that did not prevent him to be a good and responsible man, even if the circumstances he faced would have forced any other person to become a delinquent. He defied disgrace and in the end, he made his point and triumphed.

Although he always wanted to be a doctor, he became a mechanic. Unfortunately life was hard for him and he had to start to work since he was very young. He learned the craft from an American engineer and became specialized in dealing with crankshafts.

He married when he was 48, had 2 sons, and he set an example by means of what he did, a part of his German heritage (my grandfather was born in Cologne and went to to fight for King and Country in the First World War). He never mentioned anything about punctuality, honesty, hard work, and keeping and fulfilling a promise, because he set an example by doing so. He smoked and drank in a very careful way, so temperance was a value learned at home.

Also and by his own effort, he was interested in listening to music and he played classic works at home, opening the eyes of my brother and mine to other aspects in life beyond the daily existence.

So the main lesson we, as his sons, got from our father was this #BestAdvice:

"Live in such a way that you shall have nothing to regret in the future and do things in such a way that you will be proud to sign them".

The best thing was that he NEVER told me those words but he LIVED them by means of his deeds.

After he passed 25 years ago, I was quite satisfied and proud to meet people who knew him and they identified my surname with my father's. They told me that he was a man with a very dry and rigorous mindset, but also one of the few with whom you could have a very intelligent conversation. No one has stated any complaints against him; on the contrary, most people have a very favorable opinion of him.

So, that is the best way to live: leaving a heritage of good deeds and better memories. I hope to follow his footsteps... and I would invite you to do so, too.

Greetings from Mexico City.