Life Lessons from Papa
Papa was a lifelong learner and a lifelong teacher. He was constantly reading and listening to audiobooks covering everything from gardening to faith and spirituality to healthy eating and more. I learned something every single time I was with him, and it was fun to explore new topics with him and share books and podcasts. His love of learning was infectious so we would like to share life lessons from Papa.
- Lesson 1 – “All we take with us, is that which is given away.”
As I slowed down to think and meditate about Dad, one thing that came to mind which helps embody who Mike Glenn was on the “earth school” and who he still is upon “graduation,” is a quote from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This was one of Dad and my favorite movies. In the scene, George Bailey is remembering his own Dad and looking at a picture of his Dad with the words written beneath:
- “All we take with us, is that which is given away.”
This quote embodies much of what Dad means to me. He took much with him during his life because he gave away so much love, compassion, and understanding. We are all here today because Dad touched us in some positive way.
- Tighten Up – many of you likely think of Mike with a camera around his neck. He was great to always take photos at events and gatherings, and encourage people to group together and smile. But tighten up really means enjoy the moment, make the memory and hug the ones you love. This was another great lesson he taught us.
- No Stinking Thinking– Papa knew that what you think is what you manifest. He was the most positive person – all the time – and encouraged us to think positively too.
No Stinking Thinking – As many of us know, His email signature was a quote by Rumi which states “Live Life as if everything is rigged in your favor.” His positive attitude greatly impacted me and our entire family and will certainly be one of his many legacies.
We won the parent lottery being the kids of Mike and Kay Glenn. They taught us how to live with genuine positivity. We were bombarded with positive attitudes no matter what as we grew up. We just did not know any better. Instead of focusing on any complaint, we were taught to focus on solutions, on moving forward, on understanding and lifting others up.
Mike and Kay were pretty great models to follow.
- Take In The View– something I loved the most about Papa is how he would encourage me to slow down – let’s take in the sunset, Sweets. Let’s wake up for sunrise, Sweets. Anytime we were out on the boat, he helped us take it all in and appreciate the view. Sometimes when we are hurrying all the time, we need the encouragement to slow down and simply take in the view.
- Lesson 5 – Why Do We Fall?– WDWF is a frequent sentiment among the Glenns. Why do we fall? To learn to get back up. What are the lessons we learned? I know Papa will continue to teach us this. Why Do We Fall? So we can get back up again. Why Do We Fall? So that we can learn. So that we can continuously improve. We fall so that we build resilience that helps to shape our character. And helps us strive towards “Excellence in All things.”
- Go Big or Go Home– Papa lived big and loved big. A great example of this is one time when we were in Seattle for Tennis National Indoors and Kelley and I flew in on Valentine’s Day. Waiting in our room was not only about a dozen mylar Valentine’s balloons but a huge bottle of raspberry absolute and several bottles of champagne. It made for a super fun trip as you can imagine, especially once we figured out we could take our raspberry bubbly concoction anywhere if we disguised it in a Starbucks cup! Pretty sure we won the National Indoors that trip, right Will? The West Coast schools had never seen SEC Tennis Tailgating before and Papa brought the fun…and the camera…and the pictures. Go Big or Go Home was a big part of who Papa was – in business, with his friendships and certainly with his grandchildren.
- No Fear– During my mom’s battle with cancer, Papa adopted the moto “No Fear” and helped us all alleviate our fears. He was teaching even through this extreme challenge that in the end, there was nothing to fear.
No Fear represents courage and taking on a challenge even when you are unsure and afraid. No Fear means moving forward. Dad showed us GREAT strength as he moved forward and taught us how to live without Mom. He was the example for us in how to face tremendous adversity with a positive attitude.
- 8. The Power of Deep Breathing– Papa knew the power of taking a deep breath, and perfected this, especially recently with his dedicated yoga practice. He was wonderful to remind us that a deep breath could help us. He especially like to box breathe, inhaling, holding and exhaling. It truly is amazing how much a deep breath or two can help you. We might need one right now.
Papa would say “Stop, take a deep breath, listen in an active way so you seek to understand before seeking to be understood. This is actually Habit 5 of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – one of his favorites.
- Abundance– Papa was a big believer in the law of abundance and the idea that the universe has unlimited resources and that everything we want is already available to us. This was maybe most evident by the amount of sunscreen he applied for fishing outings or the number of eggplant plants he planted last year! I imagine many of you in this room were recipients of his abundant eggplants. He also liked to buy in bulk. Recently we received 16 two-packs of our favorite lip balm at our house – 16 2-packs of lip balm! He knew Sweetest liked lip balm, and so he Went Big and bought in Abundance.
But jokes aside, Papa believed that abundance was something you manifested, and he was abundantly generous to all of those around us, especially those less fortunate and that was a wonderful lesson he shared with his grandchildren.
Papa taught us about opening our hand. Allowing abundance to flow in and out. If you try to hold on to something by closing your fist around it, then abundance is not allowed to flow back in, and you miss out on true abundant living by living in scarcity.
I will continue to remind myself every day about having an open hand and allowing this abundant flow.
- Preparation – those of you who fished with Papa certainly know how he valued preparation. There was bait to be bought (I know Kelley especially loved it when she was delegated this task and she had the opportunity for a bait bucket to slosh in the back of her car). There was bait to be aerated, there were coolers to be packed, and on and on. His garden preparation was extensive as well. But beyond fishing and his garden, Papa was preparing. He read extensively about spirituality and what was next and likely was preparing for his reunion with Kay for quite some time.
- Enjoy The Arts– if any of you have been to Papa’s recently, you know he has a curated art gallery in his dining room and spilling into his kitchen. These works of art cover most walls, every window and were made by his favorite artists, the Glenn Grands. Art appreciation is at an all-time high at Papa’s house!
- Sure Papa! Anytime anyone was a little hesitant, not following directions or maybe just outright ornery, Papa will suggest “Sure Papa” and somehow get agreement from his grands or his kids. “PD, bring this trash to the farm,” followed by hesitation by Will and then the suggestion of Sure Papa and sure enough, compliance. “Jack, please water the garden twice a day for two hours while I’m at the beach for the next two weeks,” followed by hesitation, then the suggestion of Sure Papa…and again, compliance. I’m hoping “Sure Papa” will translate to “Sure Mama” but I don’t think I have the same pull.
- It’s Not About The Fish – as much as Papa fished, as much as Papa loved to fish, it was never about the fish. It was always about the friends and family he had on the boat. It was about being together. It was about bonding. Some of our most beloved memories are on that fishing boat and it truly is a blessing that Papa spent his last day doing what he loved in the place he loved. It was never about the fish.
I’ll repeat a couple lines that Catherine Frenzel, and dear friend of Mom and Dad’s wrote to us recently. “At the same time, we know he died ‘with his boots on’ doing what he loved, fishing. Flights of angels accompanied him as he graduated with honors from the earth school and is with your Mom, and other family members and friends on the other side.”
And finally…Tree the World! Can you imagine having a dream so big, a vision so bold as to Tree the World? What an inspiration. I know his presence will be missed (probably especially the 5 am meetings with the Select Trees partners) but this vision will live on and Select Trees will continue to Tree the World. What an amazing legacy!
What a Legacy…thank you Dad.
Aside from family, Select Trees was the great passion of Dad’s life. It drove him daily throughout his life. Dad once told me a story about his own Dad, Big John Glenn, who wrote him a letter about what he discovered through his life. Dad said that one thing that stood out was Big John suggesting the importance of having a business of your own. I think that stayed with Dad. Because he found a career and job that was his own, and that he could be passionate about.
He gave generously to all he touched through Select Trees. He always stressed “people first, PD.” Take care of our people. Our great people are who make this dream possible. And he was right.
The key to any great and lasting company is its Great People.
And the key to sustaining that company is the Great People who Make It Happen with their Dedication and Commitment.
There is no sustained greatness we can achieve without sustained Great Partners.
The heart and soul of Select Trees is in this room today. It’s the people—past and present—who have shaped this company. From Forrest Ramser (Dad’s great mentor), Tim Patterson (Dad would tell me the best business decision he ever made was to work with his Partner, Tim), and Mike Glenn to our incredible Production Team members and leaders, to the former and present business partners here today who have played a HUGE roles in Pushing Select Trees forward and continuing our Growth.
And now, to our current Partners and Team who work so hard to help continue this Dream.
We are so Grateful for each of you. Dad was so Grateful for each of you.
Dad, we will continue to Tree the World in your honor, carrying it forward and continuing on the gift that you left us. We will continue to listen to you in our hearts as we continuously improve and grow ourselves to put others first and put the mission of Select Trees over the needs of ourselves, and expand the shade you helped to create to touch more hearts as we grow.
It’s hard to put into words what Papa meant to us and our entire family. These words are simply not sufficient for how special and what a great teacher Papa was. His lessons will continue to impact us and guide us and we will do our best to honor them every day.
Papa, thank you for teaching us these life lessons and much more. Like Papa, I pray we always have the eyes to see the best…. a heart that forgives the worst…a mind that forgets the bad….and a soul that never loses faith.
Namaste, Papa
Dad – Peace, Love, and Joy – thanks for the shade.
– Will And Natalie Glenn
