Vale, Bob Hoskins. 11 Lessons.


The actor Bob Hoskins passed away peacefully on April 30, 2014.  The news broke overnight and the tributes have been flowing in for a man universally regarded as generous to the core, devoted to his family and the man who knew just the right words at just the right time to the people blessed to have him in their lives.

I’d like to quote a post Bob’s daughter Rosa wrote on her blog in response to her father’s death.  The post is entitled ’11 Lessons From My Dad’.  In the post, Rosa shares the 11 pieces of advice her dad would share with her repeatedly to ‘enocourage, comfort and reassure’.  They are also words that Rosa will carry with her for the rest of her life – a part of her dad that she will have with her forever.

11 Lessons From My Dad – Rosa Hoskins
1) Laugh. There’s humour to be found everywhere, even your darkest days there’s something to have a joke about. Laugh long and loud and make other people laugh. It’s good for you.
2) Be yourself. If someone doesn’t like you they’re either stupid , blind, or they’ve got bad taste. Accept who you are, you’ve got no one else to be. Don’t try to change yourself, there’s no point. Don’t apologise. Don’t make excuses. Be yourself and if anyone else doesn’t like it they can f*ck off.

3) Be flamboyant, it’s who you are and always have been. Be eccentric and unique. Don’t try to adapt yourself to someone else’s view of normal. That belongs to them, not you. Like yourself as who you are.

4) Don’t worry about other people’s opinions. Everyone’s a critic, but ultimately what they say only matters if you let it. Don’t believe your own press. People can just as easily sing your praises as they can tear you down. Don’t waste your time on things you can’t change. Let it slide off you like water off a duck’s back.

5) Get angry, it’s ok to lose your temper now and then. If anger stays in, it turns to poison and makes you bitter and sad. Get angry, say your peace, then let it go.

6) What ever you do, always give it a good go. Don’t be afraid of failure and disappointment. If you fall flat on your face then get straight back up. You’ll always regret not trying. Disappointment is temporary, regret is forever.

7) Be generous and kind because you can’t take it with  you. When you’ve got something to give, give it without hesitation.

8) Appreciate beauty, take pictures and make memories. Capture it, you never know when it’ll be gone.

9) Don’t take yourself too seriously. People who take themselves too seriously are boring.

10) Never, ever, ever, ever give up. Keep on punching no matter what your up against. You’re only defeated if you give up, so don’t give up.

11) Love with all your heart. In the end, love is the only thing that matters. 


From Rosa’s blog, Haute Hoskins.

They are such wise and heartfelt words.  Simple, inspiring and true.

Thank you, Rosa, for sharing your father’s words and in doing so, demonstrating that you’ve learned from you dad and taken his words to heart.


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