TEACHING THE OLD DOG
I’m at the age that is often referred to in our rough-around-the-edges-society as “An old dog”. It’s not so much a designated age or number as it is a mindset and enough wrinkles to show the time and the effect of the earth’s elements on a soul cage.
With enough sunrises and sunsets, a person lives through it’s easy to begin to take a lot for granted. We get set in our ways, often become opinionated, maybe obstinate, and not really open to anything new. That’s the stuff that “old dogs” are made up of.
I strive not to be like an old dog, but I do struggle with it, struggle with taking too much for granted, even when I know I shouldn’t. And yeah, sometimes I’m grouchy and short with people in my life, including my loved ones.
One thing this old dog has learned for certain while bouncing along the bumpy roads of life is this; work is a virtue and some of the greatest gratifications in life come from things earned. The gift of salvation being the great exception and the wisdom that comes from that acknowledgement is the basis of intelligence that understands the laws of this physical life as well as the heart of the Lawgiver that isn’t subject to them.
My sixteen-year-old daughter doesn’t quite grasp the concept of hard work and discipline that we’re trying to teach her. Oh, she knows she has to work, but she wants to do it on her terms. When the places she’s applied to online call her back… but the old dog doesn’t wait or play by rules for standards of today’s society.
“I’m gonna take you over to my office, you’re gonna clean it, starting with the bathrooms,” I informed her.
“But I have an interview next week?” the youngest argued… the youngest always argues… I know…
“That’s next week, you need to work this week,” I answered the beginning of the barrage of questions and suggestions.
The office is all men except for one college age girl and more that a half a dozen men, construction type men, share one of the bathrooms… I hate to even go in that bathroom, but the toughest and ugliest jobs do a lot for a person… I know, I’m an old dog… an old dog that hasn’t cleaned one of my own bathrooms after twenty-five years in business.
Therein lies the problem with being the old dog that knows humility and leading by example goes a long way. If getting my daughter started by showing her that cleaning up after the guys isn’t below me, even though I don’t have to, it’s certainly not below her.
The toilet was bad, but the floor, especially directly in front of the toilet was even worse… at least we had a mop… that is until I broke it by pulling on the handle to squeeze the excess cleaner and water out of the sponge that wasn’t quite soft enough yet and pushed it from the metal head instead of squeezing the excess water.
I didn’t hesitate, threw the mop in the trash and grabbed the disinfectant wipes and started mopping the floor by hand. Just as we were finishing the floor my daughter spoke up, “I don’t mind this, how come you didn’t let me work here sooner?” she asked.
I smiled and told her I didn’t know.
It’s a good day when an old dog can teach a valuable life lesson… and teaching the old dog a new trick.
David
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 7:19 am
Your daughter has a quick wit there, Floyd. Hopefully your showing your daughter will pay some dividends in the future. I’m still waiting for the dividends to come in for me showing my youngest (he’s 13) “how it’s done”. Both of my sons have champagne tastes that well exceeds my beer budget so they’re learning that if they want the $60 shoes and mom and dad have a $30 shoe budget something has got to give.
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:17 pm
I wish it was just wit! She really did miss the whole concept of being forced and then not minding the work due to the gratification. She since has got a job and she loves it. I think she’s gonna be alright… I think yours will to, David. Good job, my friend.
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 10:40 pm
When my grandmother was alive that was one of her favorite sayings, “You have champagne taste and beer money!” Thanks for the memory.
Floyd
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 7:04 pm
That’s a good one! That is the epitome of this generation isn’t it? Thanks for reminding me of that one, Nannette.
David
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 10:59 am
You’re welcome … 🙂
Lisa notes
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 7:45 am
“…but the toughest and ugliest jobs do a lot for a person”
Now there’s a boatload of wisdom right there. Even though the thought of that bathroom makes me cringe. ha. This old dog needs to keep learning new tricks too. Thanks for leading the way so often, Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:19 pm
Awe thanks, Lisa. We all need to keep learning. Thanks for doing your part, Lisa. You’re a great inspiration and truth seeker, sister. We’ll keep working on those tricks!
Betty Draper
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:01 am
The world has never improved on the “old dog method” of teaching children to work.
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:19 pm
You never fail to impress me with your simple wisdom and insight, Betty. It is much appreciated, my friend.
Dan Erickson
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 9:46 am
Good for you, Floyd. I’ve made my daughter help clean the bathrooms at home since she was two. She doesn’t like as much as she used to, but she still does it. She’s nine, now. Can you believe it!
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:20 pm
Wow. I guess I’ve been around a while now… NO! I can’t believe it!
Thomas Mason
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 10:12 am
Leading by example. That’s great, Floyd. My wife and I try to be orderly and clean at home. Yesterday my daughter just out of the blue performed several cleaning jobs at home without being asked. It did my heart good to see her enthusiasm and initiative.
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:22 pm
Whatever you’re feeding her, I need you to tell me! She’s a chip off the old block, brother. That speaks volumes for you and your wife… Greet the both of them for me if you would. May God continue to bless and keep you and yours, Thomas.
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 12:07 pm
Good for you…good for her. There is nothing like an old dog teaching a new dog its way around. 🙂
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:22 pm
And the old dog learning a thing in the process! Thanks, Bill.
Sharon
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 6:10 pm
What a good example you set here, Floyd. I wish the good old fashioned *work ethic* was more prevalent in our society. So many people have a sense of entitlement, and it drives me crazy.
I think you taught your daughter several good lessons this day – and you, you old dog, might have gleaned some wisdom too. Isn’t that how it often goes? In the teaching, we find that we are taught.
Woof, woof.
GOD BLESS!
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:24 pm
You crack me up, Sharon! And yes, you’re right, as usual! You do have the gift of wisdom, sister. That’s exactly right. Thanks, Sharon.
Dolly@Soulstops
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 7:15 pm
Floyd,
Anybody who teaches by example is a great dog in my book 🙂
Floyd
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8:24 pm
Well said, Dolly. Wonderful wisdom, sister. Blessings to you and yours as you teach and lead by example!
Hazel Moon
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 10:05 pm
Fun being with an old dog as he shows her how it is done! I am sure that was a true bonding experience, and she may have been Joshing you a bit – but then she may have also been serious. It was a paid job – right? This is a great story and thanks for allowing it at: “Tell Me a Story.” http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Floyd
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 7:02 pm
Yeah, she was needing gas money, but she really was serious. Funny how even some of the worst things we dread the most often don’t turn out to be as bad as we thought they would. Thanks for sharing it on your wonderful site, Hazel!
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 10:47 pm
This took me back a few years when I cleaned the church we were attending…every week you just didn’t know what those bathrooms would hold. In total there were 13 commodes and four “others”, lol. That was a whole lot of toilet bowl cleaner! One time a friend was helping me and we had decided she would clean the bathrooms and I would start to vacuum. In a few minutes she comes screaming out of the men’s and says she quits! I walk in there and to my horror, well, you just cannot describe some things in print. This was a very nice church! But we persevered, prayed, laughed and cried our way through that “mess”. I have tried to share those lessons with my kids but when it comes to cleaning up either “throw-up” or the other kind, they say, and they are all boys, “That’s a job only a mother’s stomach could handle.” Thanks for the chuckle, Floyd, I didn’t miss the life lesson either.
Floyd
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 7:06 pm
Oh! How dreadful! I’ve done some remodels where people were using facilities without water… for long periods of time… Those memories never seem to leave you… nor the lessons! Bless your heart, Nannette. That’s true love in a mostly thankless ministry… I appreciate it! I know your Father does too!
Pam
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 3:09 am
You know, Floyd, I find I need to learn “new tricks” now more than I ever have in my life! Sure keeps things interesting!
Floyd
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 7:07 pm
It really does, doesn’t it? What a wonderful perspective, Pam. That’s one we all need to adopt… and a little more willingly! Thanks, sister.
child of God
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 4:39 pm
Hi Floyd,
Leading by example is the best way to motivate, teach and instill into our young ones the values we were brought up on. I LOVE how the mop handle broke and you didn’t give up but pressed in by dropping to your knees continuing to clean with your hands. What a valuable lessen you taught your daughter.
Blessings.
Floyd
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
Yeah, once I’m on something I have to finish it… even if I don’t want to! Funny by making sure that I’m teaching her lessons I get reminded of the best ones my self. Peculiar how that works, isn’t it? No coincidences in this life, sister!
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 11:26 am
See you can’t be an old dog because you keep learning new things. Keep fighting it, Floyd! 🙂 Your childlike faith keeps you young too. It says about Moses that his strength never waned and his eye never dimmed. I say, so be it for you my friend!
Floyd
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 6:38 pm
I say thank you for the blessings, my friend! Excellent correlation! Something we should all strive for. Thanks, Jason.
Barb Raveling
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 2:13 pm
You’re a good dad, Floyd. 🙂
Floyd
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
Not always, but I try. Thanks, Barb.
Dan Black
Friday, August 1, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
We need more people like yourself (Fathers and mothers) who trains the next generation about hard work and discipline. Your a great example Floyd!
Floyd
Friday, August 1, 2014 @ 5:27 pm
Thanks, Dan. Not always, but it’s a constant struggle to try to. I know you are too, my friend.