3 Things Popz Taught Me

So on Friday on the way up to Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Wellbeing Festival I received some bad news, my dad - known affectionately to all as Popz - received some bad news about his health.

I called him and said "Would you like to be at my first proper speaking event?"

"Of course I would"

"Great I will come and get you, be on the 11am Ferry."

So I hired a car and shot up to Oban to pick him up from the Isle of Mull Ferry. On the way I reflected on what he meant to me, what having him at this event meant to me, how much he inspired me.

Armed with his wheelchair we scooted him down to Edinburgh and he had front row viewing of our first proper speaking event!

It was awesome, but I knew I needed to say something, I might never get another chance, who knows what life might bring - and in true Fairbairns style it had to be public.

"Before we finish, I just want to say something to someone special, here at the front is my dad"

"Dad amongst many things, there are 3 things you taught me that really stand out:

1) You were always a bit of a square peg in a round hole - but I was a dodecahedron in a round hole. I just didn't fit in anywhere! But you taught me that was a gift, you taught me to celebrate it - you taught me that it meant I had something special to give the world. So I say to all of you - if you have someone in your life who is a bit different, a child, or a friend maybe a family member - then celebrate their gift and help them to see it that way.

2) You taught me to be brave and courageous - because you lead by example, My dad if he is anything, is brave and courageous.

3) The most important one, he taught me to never, ever, EVER accept the path laid out before me, but instead to build my own path.

My dad pioneered many things in his life, from new ways to grow and store crops, to the UK's first ever Whale Watching business and Charity, he has never accepted the rules before him and always encourage those around him to push boundaries, break rules and lead by example.

Perhaps now you see how this is reflected in our company Oneyearnobeer.com - and therefore in reality, this probably wouldn't exist without him.

I think this demonstrates the importance of leading by example. Sure he's not perfect, no-one is, we all make mistakes. But the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and life is about being the best tree you can possibly be.

As Andy says "Ahhh now everything about you makes sense Ruari

I managed to persuade Popz to come with me down to London, no bags packed, no prescriptions sorted, no plan, no authorisation from the boss - let's just go adventure!

So we are on the train heading down to OYNB HQ so he can help kick the ship into good order.

Expect changes Team.