This is a treasure chest, Dana, a treasure chest of words. Just open it now and then and Brad's voice will never silence. So many wise things here being said by him. I never met Brad, but through yours and his own words I can hear him.
There are many phrases to requote. I've read them all a few times now and I'll share the ones that speak directly to my heart.
I'll start with no. 11; "Be whole in the rythm". This is one of the best life advices I've ever read.
I also love no. 12. It makes me what to roar along, loudly and clearly; "Time to roar. Time to work. Trust the process".
No. 13 is an important reminder: "Dreams are hollow unless we scream into them".
No. 6 I will keep on repeat in my own mind: "Be thoughtful, but be fearless".
No. 15 is how I live most of the time to enjoy the rest: "Do the hard things first".
No. 17 is a significant reminder: "There's a story to tell. And to live as well".
No. 19 hits home big time; "Write your heart out. Sweat it out every day. Love hard and deep".
No. 29, followed by no. 30 are two sensible advices to keep; "Do the small things to let the big things flow". "Be enough. Be free".
In no. 31 Brad asks a lot of essential questions that should be held to leaders. The whole quote is an every day strong reminiscense of what should be done. My favourite question to any leader, big or small is; "Do they put community first?"
I will wrap this up by two more of Brad's phrases.
In honour of him, to celebrate his life; no. 23 and 44 sum it all up; "The trutht is we're all terminal" - BUT (my word) "I hope, nonetheless".
Thanks you for reading and sharing the ones that resonated most, Marina. I agree with 31. I think about that in today's climate and wish we had more leaders that were asked those questions.
And I want to tattoo "I hope, nonetheless" on my body/
I love the bonus the best! Also, find this so very true, "feeling like we’re victims pose the real risks to actually living life the way we’d hope we can live it.”
Dana, this is such a beautiful post and thank you for sharing some of Brad's words with us. He was indeed a philosopher and a glorious writer.I can't pick just one that resonates with me so many do. I recently learnt that when one of my sisters was going through a pretty significant change in life focus, he told her.." if you don't get off one bus you can't get on another".
I thought I’d leave a separate comment to answer your other question. For me, your “bonus Bradism” may be about you, but I think it speaks more to the way he loved you…and to modify your statement slightly, who doesn’t want to be loved like that? 🥹 I don’t have many of my late husband’s things here with me to reference, but one sentence came to mind immediately when I read your question…and it’s my version of “who doesn’t want to be loved like that?” On our anniversary this year, I read through all the letters, cards, and notes he’d given me throughout our relationship, and I can vividly remember one sentence from the letter he wrote to me on our second anniversary of dating: “Lora, you deserve so much more than I could ever give, but I’ll never stop giving you everything I have.” ❤️❤️🩹❤️
Oh Dana, this post is so incredible…what an unbelievably beautiful and special way to honor Brad on this day that marks 44 years since he entered the world. THANK YOU for sharing these parts of him with us…what a gift the two of you have given everyone who reads this. I saved this post so I can go back and read these “Bradisms” whenever I need any of these important reminders and truths about life. ❤️ I love all of them, but these are the ones that spoke to me the most: 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 17, 25, 33, 35, 40, and 44. My absolute favorite, though, is the bonus one…not only does it describe you perfectly, but I love getting to see you through his eyes. And I love seeing your love. ❤️❤️❤️
I love this sentence: “She’s just imperfect enough to make me feel worthy as a man.” ❤️
That one was pretty beautiful 💛
This is a treasure chest, Dana, a treasure chest of words. Just open it now and then and Brad's voice will never silence. So many wise things here being said by him. I never met Brad, but through yours and his own words I can hear him.
There are many phrases to requote. I've read them all a few times now and I'll share the ones that speak directly to my heart.
I'll start with no. 11; "Be whole in the rythm". This is one of the best life advices I've ever read.
I also love no. 12. It makes me what to roar along, loudly and clearly; "Time to roar. Time to work. Trust the process".
No. 13 is an important reminder: "Dreams are hollow unless we scream into them".
No. 6 I will keep on repeat in my own mind: "Be thoughtful, but be fearless".
No. 15 is how I live most of the time to enjoy the rest: "Do the hard things first".
No. 17 is a significant reminder: "There's a story to tell. And to live as well".
No. 19 hits home big time; "Write your heart out. Sweat it out every day. Love hard and deep".
No. 29, followed by no. 30 are two sensible advices to keep; "Do the small things to let the big things flow". "Be enough. Be free".
In no. 31 Brad asks a lot of essential questions that should be held to leaders. The whole quote is an every day strong reminiscense of what should be done. My favourite question to any leader, big or small is; "Do they put community first?"
I will wrap this up by two more of Brad's phrases.
In honour of him, to celebrate his life; no. 23 and 44 sum it all up; "The trutht is we're all terminal" - BUT (my word) "I hope, nonetheless".
Thanks you for reading and sharing the ones that resonated most, Marina. I agree with 31. I think about that in today's climate and wish we had more leaders that were asked those questions.
And I want to tattoo "I hope, nonetheless" on my body/
Dana! I love this so very much. I am writing your Brads words in my daily notebook, one for each day into the future. Thank you for sharing. 44
Lori, I love this so much. And even more importantly, Brad would have loved this!
I love the bonus the best! Also, find this so very true, "feeling like we’re victims pose the real risks to actually living life the way we’d hope we can live it.”
I'm printing all 44 and will hang by my desk.
love love love this.
Dana, this is such a beautiful post and thank you for sharing some of Brad's words with us. He was indeed a philosopher and a glorious writer.I can't pick just one that resonates with me so many do. I recently learnt that when one of my sisters was going through a pretty significant change in life focus, he told her.." if you don't get off one bus you can't get on another".
Sending you much love.
"If you don't get off one bus you can't get on another" --- oooh that's so powerful. Writing that down as a reminder for later.
Clearly a remarkable man .
Number 33 for Adversity defines us..
Especially our response to it
I will be keeping this email to reflect on the others.
Some are sort of mantras
My own favourite ones are
Focus on fitness not illness
Be in charge of your physicality not a victim of it
amongst others
I wish you well
I agree that 33 is pretty powerful. I re-read that one about 10 times when I was putthing this together.
Brad would have really connected with yours as well. Thanks so much for sharing!
What a beautiful treat to get to know Brad more in this way. Thank you for sharing the essence of him 🩵
Thank you for reading, Lindsay!
I thought I’d leave a separate comment to answer your other question. For me, your “bonus Bradism” may be about you, but I think it speaks more to the way he loved you…and to modify your statement slightly, who doesn’t want to be loved like that? 🥹 I don’t have many of my late husband’s things here with me to reference, but one sentence came to mind immediately when I read your question…and it’s my version of “who doesn’t want to be loved like that?” On our anniversary this year, I read through all the letters, cards, and notes he’d given me throughout our relationship, and I can vividly remember one sentence from the letter he wrote to me on our second anniversary of dating: “Lora, you deserve so much more than I could ever give, but I’ll never stop giving you everything I have.” ❤️❤️🩹❤️
Wow Lora, what an amazing line from Ethan. Who wouldn't want to be loved like that?? 💛
Right? 🥹😭❤️
Oh Dana, this post is so incredible…what an unbelievably beautiful and special way to honor Brad on this day that marks 44 years since he entered the world. THANK YOU for sharing these parts of him with us…what a gift the two of you have given everyone who reads this. I saved this post so I can go back and read these “Bradisms” whenever I need any of these important reminders and truths about life. ❤️ I love all of them, but these are the ones that spoke to me the most: 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 17, 25, 33, 35, 40, and 44. My absolute favorite, though, is the bonus one…not only does it describe you perfectly, but I love getting to see you through his eyes. And I love seeing your love. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing your favorites! The bonus one warms my little heart 💛
His words on adversity resonate deeply!!
Also thank you for sharing his words and this insight into who he was, his thoughts and dreams!! He continues to inspire and motivate!!
He had a lot of thoughts on leadership and would have made an incredible leader!
What a guy!
What a love you had. Incredible.