The daughter of popular British actor Bob Hoskins – who died on Wednesday following pneumonia, at the age of 71 – has revealed the 11 life lessons that her father taught his family.
Writing on her website, Rosa Hoskins said: “These are the lessons he taught me, I will keep them close to my heart and remind myself of them whenever I stumble or falter.
“They are his words, the words spoke so often to encourage, comfort and reassure. this isn’t general wisdom, rather advice that he tailor made just for me. I love you Dad.”
The life lessons handed down by Hoskins were:
1: Laugh: There’s humour to be found everywhere, even your darkest days there’s something to have a joke about.
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.
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.
4: Don’t worry about other people’s opinions. Everyone’s a critic, but ultimately what they say only matters if you let it.
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 piece, then let it go.
6: Whatever you do, always give it a good go. Don’t be afraid of failure and disappointment.
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.
11: Love with all your heart. In the end, love is the only thing that matters.
Great stuff Bob.