“Wish I’d Known . . . .

Ted Paddack LPC LCSW

Description

“Wish I’d Known . . . . Nuggets of Wisdom Learned Along the Journey” began to take shape as the author recalled the vicissitudes of life itself. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9 – NIV). His life’s experiences and career choices have involved the disciplines of fine arts, mental health, criminal justice, higher education academia, parenting, ethics and spirituality. He has experienced a magnificently blessed existence, but not without numerous unforeseen difficulties. His “ramblings” (he calls them ‘entries’, not ‘chapters’) may serve as a primer for others who desire to experience ‘the good life’. The entries are not a cookbook for all the self-help needs we experience. Rather, they remind the reader of the wisdom and importance of “carpe diem’, making the most of each day that God has granted! “What is your life?…. A mist that appears for a little time then vanishes. . . . Say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:14-15 – ESV) While the author writes from a Judeo-Christian perspective, even the agnostic or atheist will appreciate these timeless truths regarding everyday living! “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Prov. 19:21 – MSG).

Sujets

• Ted
• Autobiography
• Journey
• Wisdom
• Biography
• Personal Memoirs

Informations

• Publié par: Xlibris US
• Date de parution: 22 janvier 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781669863465
• Langue: English

Extrait

“Wish I’d Known . . . .
 
 
Nuggets of Wisdom Learned Along the Journey”
 
 
 
 
 
Ted Paddack, LPC, LCSW
 
 
Copyright © 2023 by Ted Paddack, LPC, LCSW.
 

Library of Congress Control Number:
2023901199
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-6698-6348-9

Softcover
978-1-6698-6347-2

eBook
978-1-6698-6346-5
 
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
 
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]
 
• The Message (MSG), Eugene Peterson. Navpress Publishing, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
 
Rev. date: 01/19/2023
 
 
Xlibris
844-714-8691
www.Xlibris.com
846251
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Endorsements
Prologue
“Nuggets Of Wisdom
I Hear Ya!
“Courage or Stupidity”
On Accident!!
Share It Now
Letting Go!
“Was It Worth It?”
Being Plain Spoken
“Wise In My Own Eyes”
Who Are You? – 1
Who Are You? - 2
“The Everyday, Ordinary Difference-Maker”
“No Turning Aside to the Right or the Left”
“You Mean All Those Things Are The Best?”
Saying ‘Uncle’
Matters of the Heart
Goin’ Home
The Psychology Of AbundancE
Who Do You Trust?
Finally Getting It Right
“Never Grow Old”
“Privilege”
“All Is Well”
“Drop Them Like A Hot PotatO”
“Then And Now”
A Choice To Be Made
“Death”
The Hospital We All Need
“Rehab”
“The Better Way”
“The Rule of 3rds”
“Them Was The Days”
“It Hurts Too Bad. . . .”
“Glimpses of Hopes and Dreams”
Guest Author Submissions
Guest Contributors
Home
“God Is Still Rising!”
Seeing Jesus Clearly
“Desensitized”
“Earthy Advice”
“A Father’s Love”
“An Appointment That Must Be Kept”
“Defining Moments”
“You See The Plan Looking Back”
“Cancer”
“Ferguson Missouri”
“PROCRASTINATION”
“I Wish I’d Known . . . . A ‘Before’ and ‘After’”
“Stay Awake”
“Karen’s Letter”
Guest Contributor Brief Bios
“THE 3 rd SEASON”
Intro
“What I’ve Been Planning and Waiting For”
“Where Do I Go From Here”
“Hello, Colorado”
“Albrook AFB, Panama Canal Zone”
“The Beautiful Gulf Coast”
“Settling In For The Duration”
“Becoming A HERO”
“Moving On”
Post-Script
Epilogue
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
T HE ORIGINAL PURPOSE for writing this book, and the primary motivators are the 5 M’s: Morgan Raquel, Madison Janae, Meghan Danielle, Mackenzie Brianna and Mason Payne. It was at their urging upon hearing some of their Poppy’s stories (sometimes repeatedly) that the decision was made to reduce them to print. To my third generation prides and joy, thank you. Love you dearly.
As most authors state, there are too many to thank for your part in making this book a reality. If I tried to list all individually, I would have forgotten several who justly deserve credit. There are a few that I wish to mention who have had a significant part in editing, proof-reading, memory-jogging, submission to publisher or just repeated encouragement to keep on when I may have felt the need or desire to shelve the entire project.
Chief among those I must recognize is my best “girl-Friday”, my dearly departed spouse of 58+ years, Sandra Ann, who dutifully truly kept me on track until she left this earthly existence for a better home during the writing of this book. Other valuable sources include Gary Brown, Linda Johnson, Starlet Sinclair, Ken Holsberry, Greg Stanford and my beautiful talented daughters Paige Danielle and Pepper Charae along with their spouses Thomas Brian Box and Charles Gregory Bradberry.
And lastly, even amid my procrastination, I firmly believe that the Spirit of the Living God kept prompting me that I had something to pass on that another might find value in reading.
ENDORSEMENTS
“Wish I’d Known. . . .
Nuggets of Wisdom Learned Along the Jou rney”
“I HAVE KNOWN TED Paddack for nearly six decades. During that time, I have been blessed by his wisdom and sage council on many occasions. There aren’t many people I would ask for advice when confronted by a difficult decision. Ted is one of them.
Dave Ramsey has famously said that “common sense is so rare it should be considered as a superpower.” If it is indeed a superpower, then Ted Paddack is a superhero. I know you will be blessed by the homespun common sense and wisdom contained in this book that Ted has accumulated in his eighty trips around the sun.”
Gary D. Brown
Vice President of Counseling (Ret.)
IBM Global Services
Managing Director, Aegis Consulting
“Thoughtful, kind and considerate — 3 words that describe Ted and repeatedly come to mind when I think back over the years I’ve known Ted Paddack. This compilation is a reflection of Ted’s desire to share with others some meaningful “secrets” that he has discovered along life’s pathway. There is no doubt that this collection contains pearls, gems and nuggets that, when properly applied, will absolutely change the course of your life.”
Kenneth W. Worley, CFP
Branch Manager, LPL Financial
Cornerstone Wealth Management Group
“I am privileged to have worked with Ted for a number of years, and I am grateful for the many ways in which he enhanced my career. Ted imparted as many nuggets of wisdom as he learned from others.”
Robert Brotherton
Judge, 30 th District Court (Ret.)
Senior Judge, North Central Texas
“For close to 30 years I have known Ted in what I surmise to be three phases: first when I was his student; second as his colleague; and third as his friend. During each of these phases I have depended heavily upon his thoughtful analysis and wisdom, and found myself listening intently anytime he chose to share his thoughts on a subject. His words were always conveyed with impeccable timing and precision, and with thoughtfulness that I have admired and attempted to mimic. It has been a true pleasure to learn from Ted an my own life-journey, and I am certain the words, vision and lessons in this book will help you as well.”
Nathan R. Moran, Ph.D.
Chairman & Professor
Criminal Justice Department
Midwestern State University
“Ted and I have eaten breakfast together every Tuesday for a couple of decades now. It is a highlight in my week. Ted is a good story teller, and his stories have something to say. He is a fount of wisdom and many times I’ve gone to him for advice; some of the times I’ve actually taken his advice! Seriously, I quote things he has said to me quite often when others ask me for advice. I know you’ll enjoy hearing his stories and I know you’ll walk away with some nugget of wisdom! So get a cup of coffee, sit down at a table and have breakfast with Ted.
Ken Holsberry
Senior Pulpit Minister
Tenth and Broad Church of Christ
 
 
 
 
WISH
            I’D
                K NOWN
“Nuggets of Wi sdom
Learned Al ong
   The Jou rney”
Ted Pad dack
PROLOGUE
A Must-Read Before Contin uing
O KAY. SO MAYBE the “ Wish I’d Known . . . . ” title may indicate that I know something now that I didn’t know then . Just to clear the air, and to try to maintain my truthfulness and integrity! It is probably safer to say ‘I had an intellectual knowledge of many of these truths long ago’. But, I may not have always succeeded in best putting into play (internalizing) those “nuggets of wisdom” that someone long ago graciously passed on to me. I still have a ways to go!
Next, being a university prof, I am sensitive to plagiarisms, or taking credit for an insight that rightfully belongs to another. That is one of the low points for personal integrity. I freely admit there are likely numerous issues of keen awareness (and/or quotes) that I would love to claim that belong to someone else. Either I have forgotten who that is --- I claim old age as my defense --- or I never really knew the original source. Sooooo…, if it’s your nugget of wisdom, notify me and I promise to credit you in my second edition of this book (how’s that for optimism for a septuagenarian to talk about 2 nd editions).
I have had an increditably good life. I am blessed! I am deeply thankful that I had the opportunity to have been in the company of so many who have exemplified lives of honor. And proper credit has never been given to them. I have been extremely fortunate to have had those who gave me a “hand up”, who brought me along with them when I could not have done it on my own! We all have been surrounded by those individuals. While I wish I could contact them to let them know of my appreciation for the