On Thursday 28th June, at 6.53pm, my wife Bec and I welcomed our little boy Luke Sebastian Fernando into the world.
Since returning home I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a family, and specifically what it will mean to Luke to be part of our family.
Last week, in between changing nappies, I investigated the origin of our family name ‘Fernando’ and discovered that it has Spanish/Portuguese roots. I also learnt that the name is based on two spanish words ‘fard’ and ‘nand’ which mean ‘Journey’ and ‘Daring’. Perhaps that’s why I decided to name this newsletter ‘Dare To Dream’ :)
In researching our family coat of arms I discovered that it was common practice for families to add a motto to a traditional coat of arms to make it more personal. This got me to thinking – “What would we want our family motto to be?”
I discussed this with Bec and we decided to develop out own family motto. To do this we initially brainstormed a list of words that we each thought were important and then decided that we would narrow it down to the three specific words that would best encapsulate what was most important to us as a family.
After a wonderful discussion, the words we decided on were: LOVE, INTEGRITY, ADVENTURE.
I then combined our new family motto with a traditional coat of arms related to the Fernando family name to create the following:
While the coat of arms is really just a bit of fun as I can’t be 100% sure of its historical accuracy, what was really valuable was sitting down with Bec and talking about the values that would be important for our family.
So today, I’d like to encourage you to think about developing your own family motto. If you’re not married you can still do this exercise to create a personal motto that describes who you really want to be.
Here’s what to do:
1. Brainstorm a list of words that represent what’s important to you.
2. Go through your list and decide which three words best encapsulate what you feel is most important for you or your family.
3. For a bit of fun, jump on Google and see if you can find a traditional coat of arms related to your family name.
Remember the important part of this exercise is not actually the coat of arms, but rather, the discussion you have with your partner to decide what you want your central family values to be.
Until next time, from myself, Bec and Luke,
Dare To Dream!
Dr. Anthony
{ 132 comments }
Congratulations on the new addition, he’s absolutely adorable. And thank you for the awesome material. I always enjoy receiving and read your messages.
congratulations, Anthony and your family you are insperational.
congrats
Congradulations!!! & Thank You for the inspiring ideas!
Congratulation dear Anthony
its really nice application for a family. thanks for the idea..
Congratulations Anthony and Bec on you newborn baby. Luke is absolutely adorable.
I wish you and your family all the best.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful material. It truly helped me over the years and I will continue reading them.
Liz
Great. I read and tell my students in the MSc Counseling & Psychotherapy of Tamilnadu Open University.His writings help a lot
Thank God for the arrival of a new family member, Luke! Happy to share in your joy. Baby Luke you are wellcome. Congratulations to you and Bec.
Congrats .. Luke is very cute god bless you all :)
So beautiful and inspiring. Luke Fernando will surely live up to the Fernando Family Motto.
congrats, I have a Luke too. thank-you for emails they’re inspiring, encouraging and always uplifting just when needed x
Congratulations May God richly bless you and your growing family
Wow! Congratulations on the new addition to the family, Dr. Fernando!
Also, welcome to Luke Sebastian Fernando!
Enjoyed this post, Thank you!
Congrats. I can understand the joy of parenthood. We had experienced it 30-yrs ago and recently once again felt happiness when we became grand parents. What I appreciate is ‘thoughts’ you put-in in your life & take it to a higher level. Accept my Kudos. I am now taking a cue & going to create ‘Coat of Arms’ with ‘Values’ duly evolved in a family discussions. This will further family cement relationship, which in our fast life take it for granted. Thanks for enlightenment.
anthony firstly congratulations, I never miss reading your article it is simply awesome thank you for sharing
Congratulations! He’s very handsome and very lucky to be a part of your family.
Congratulations on the new family member!
I did something similar. I wrote down two words that I hoped to emulate better, and then I created a quick little symbol and put it everywhere: on my fridge, next to my computer, at the top of every lecture notes, etc. Seeing my symbol would instantly remind me and, usually, put me in a better frame of mind if I was having a bad day. The cool thing, though, was that I would sometimes see glimpses of my little symbol in everyday life, perhaps in the way the clouds moved across the sky, and that really brightened my day! It was a constant reminder that I was holding myself to a higher standard, and it was inspiring to see that sometimes nature was helping, too!
heartly congratulatons…:)
Congratulations to you and your wife! Wish the little boy a very happy and healthy life:)
Congradulations !!! & Thank You for the inspiring ideas :)
Great idea and congratulations on the birth of your son, Luke. Your inspirational messages have been a blessing to me!
Heartily Congratulations for being Papa of Little Luke Sebastian…
congratulations Dil Se….
congrats anthony,n kiss ur wife for me for giving u such a beautiful baby boy….:),thank u so much for tht inspiring idea,im gona jump to it asap,have a blessed day u n ur family
Congratulations Anthony and Bec!
And welcome to the world, Luke!
Overwhelmed at the lovely sight of baby Luke. He is the cutest baby in the world. and thank God for his exceptional parents who come up with such innovative ideas.Congrats Antony and Bec on being bestowed the prestigious status of becoming proud parents of an offspring who could bring out such a wonderful idea of an impressive Motto with a traditional coat of Arms.Welcome to the World little Luke. I can very well imagine what an extraordinary intellectual individual you will be with Love, Integrity and Adventure instilled in you from this tender stage of your long long journey of pleasant Adventures. God bless you and your wonderful parents.WHAT A UNIQUE THOUGHT!!!
Congrats Anthony!! Wishing you and your family a very happy life!
Congratulations Dr Fernando ,
Children add a new dimension to our life . They make you see the world in a totally new light and also change our outlook and make us appreciate what our parents have
done for us , things which have taken for granted till now . Wishing you all the best in this new phase of your life .
congratulations on your new baby. once again congrat
Congratulations for bringing to this world a new soul. I am sure he will be thought with love and care.
My best wishes to tou all
Manuel Alazraki
Congratulations on the arrival of your new bundle of joy. We all know that your positive thinking will provide best of life to your son. We all know that God is always with us and ready to help us provided we let Him do so. Total surrender to God brings worry free true living. Only the human value based life is truely life lived. Your idea of creating family motto is wonderful, for it reminds us to create and stay with value based life. Thanks a lot.
Congrats, a bundle of joy and an awsome responsibility and privilige from God. Thank Him and ask for his guidance and helping to raise him!
congratulation on the new arrival. what a cute little baby
Dear Dr. Fernando,
You are chosen, you are special and you are appreciated. A haughty congratulation to you and Mrs. Fernando for God’s addition to the family. May this child be grown in the admonition of the Lord. Best Wishes……..God bless you all
Congrats Dr Anthony and Bec on the arrival of baby Luke!!!
Didn’t use to read your articles sent to me, but read this and I am truly happy I did. Would go over previously sent ones…
Keep up the good works…God bless U.
Your articles are very inspring & thought-provoking ! Keep them coming !
Congratulations Anthony & Bec for the new arrival.
Wish you all the best.
Congrats to U Dr.Anthony and your wife…On entering the realm of Parenthood lol
With the birth of ‘Luke’…Precious and Adorable boy!
I love to receive your emails and wish you and your new family every happiness x
Congratulations Anthony and Bec Fernando, you have a very lovely boy. God bless you both and your baby Luke. I wish you every success and happiness in your home.
Congratulations Dr. Anthony and Bec!!! I wish you both and lil Luke to continue to be blessed with happiness!!!
Congratulations !!! He is very cute :))
Warmest congratulations to you and your wife on the arrival of your adorable little boy, Luke. May Luke live and long and fulfilling life.
Thank you for your words of practical inspiration. They are always truly inspiring.
Congratulations and all the best
Congratulations on new arrival.
I read your articles with interest and find quite inspiring.
Thanks
Congratulations to you and your wife!! Being a parent is one of the BEST adventures, as you continuously discover the many facets of this ever growing bundle of joy. There will be many surprises along the way. Enjoy the journey!
Congratulations !!!
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations! :)
and Thanks for article.
Congratulations Mr. Anthony !!!!
Hi! Anthony. Hearty congratulations to you and your family. I was just wondering how nice it would be if people across the continents take home the message that you are sharing, and practice in their day to day lives. The world becomes a better place to live. We are Humans and we need to practice Human Values – Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence to befit the status bestowed upon us by the Creator.
With Love and Prayers,
Your brother in God
God bless to little Fernando.
Congratulations Dr. Antony. and thank you.
Congratulations to all three of you. Wishing your family a life full of Joy, Peace, Love and Adventure.
Congratulations and GOD bless you all.
Congratulations a lot to you
Congratulation a lot to you and your family GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Congrats..Mr. Fernando!! We were also blessed with a boy few months back..I would really like to add motto to my family..that’s a great exercise to keep you life on track with your values..Thanks a lot.!!
Gr8888…keep it up with wonderful articles…
Congratulations
Congrats…Mr. Fernando.I have learnt a lot from yr book. Its really a motivation clue.
Thanks a lot.
Congratulation Anthony.
I am still following your advise of priority and give my family the first priority. I really feel very satisfied when I see smiles all around.
My work comes second, and at times I have to work extra late hours to complete it, still I do not make my family suffer because of my work. In fact seeing them happy gives me more energy.
Regards,
Anand
Congrats for the new born baby Luke and God bless u all. this one too is marvellous, keep inspiring us.
Congratulations on the new ‘bundle of joy’ :)
Welcome to Junior Fernando. Congrads to Senior.
Worth a wait to get the latest information.
best regards
Congratulations Mr Anthony on new arrival.
May God Bless little Luke abundantly. Thanks for your inspirational articles.
Warms regards. . .
Dear Dr Anthony,
Congratulations to you and your family! To God be all the glory for this wonderful gift of Luke. Words cannot express how grateful I am for you wonderful words of motivation. Thanks a lot.
Wow! So cute to see the baby.My love to you and your family
Congrats & Thanks for such a inspirational article. Awaiting more from u in future.
congrats and thank you for the inspiring advice.
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!! :)
Congrats !
Please take very good care of the sweet baby Luke….
many congratulations, little one will certainly give you more ideas of inspirations as you are a very keen observer of your surroundings have a nice time with your family and enjoy every moment
congrats to entire family
congrats and welcome Luke!
Congrats
Congratulations to you and your family on the arrival of your new baby. I wish him long life, good health, and prosperity. In fact, your inspirational talks are really helping me in my condition of disability. Thanks and remain blessed.
Regards,
John Adediji
Wow, that is one adorable babe! Congrats to you both! Thanks for your newsletters. I always find them inspirational.
Congratulations Anthony!
Sincere congratulations!
Congratulation for Junior Anthony and sharing these moment.
Congratulations,keep up the motivation continue to do so ……
Congratulations. Babies always bring happiness and blessings to the family.
Congratulations doctor! really such an inspiring thought it is to create family motto! This is something to deepen the bonding within the family. Its a way to develop society
enriched with values ðics. I feel always energetic after reading ur articals and eagerly wait for something new. U are really doing a wonderful job & i am happy for you that god has blesses u with such a cute angel. May god bless u and ur family with his eaternal love & prosperity! keep going this way! keenly waiting for your next article!
so cute baby. Congratulations to you and Bec. I wish you all the best. GBU
Congrats for your wonderful baby. I happy for you
Congrats for your wonderful baby. I’m happy for you.
“that is pretty wonderful hey… i like it.
good luck to you and your family
“that is pretty wonderful hey… i like it.
good luck to you and your family
Congratulations to you Dr Anthony and Bec and welcome to Luke – he looks adorable. Long may your words continue to inspire, help and comfort.
Georgina M
Dear Anthony, very happy for you.
Congratulations, Dr. Anthony and the entire family. God bless you. Continue inspiring the world.
Congratulation on your new baby!
I’m sooo happy for you both, what a beautiful baby boy.
Congratulations.
Congratulations Fernando. Kids teaches us a lot. As you are inspiring us with the practical examples this is god,s way of teaching us. Congratulations to the couple.
Dear Dr Anthony
Congratulations to you & Bec. Luke Sebastian looks great and our families prayers and blessings are with your family. You have done a great deal and one more article is added to the treasure of collections. Keep up the great thing going God bless us all.
Hi Anthony,
Many Many congratulation to you and your family.
Regards
Amit S. Chouhan
9314159030
Congrats Mr Anthony. May God shower the best of His blessings on the new born.
Congraturations….! Children are gift from God therefor you must be proud of Luke! God bless you more and continue to add to your family.
Dear Dr. Anthony
How looking cute Luke,
Congratulation to you and Bec. god bles to you,
Thanks for your newsletters. I always find them inspirational.
Regards
Balwant Gohil
Congrates sir for new little master.
Congratulations !!!
I was just thinking about you several days ago, and missing your emails!
Interesting info regarding the roots of ‘Fernando’.
I love your coat of arms.
What a great idea. I am going to do so for myself.
Thanks for doing what you do, to make such a positive difference in the world.
Many blessings on your family!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congratulations Anthony and Bec on you newborn baby. Luke is absolutely adorable.
I wish you and your family all the best.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful material. It truly helped me over the years and I will continue reading them.
Congratulations!
Congratulations Sir :)
Congratulations Anthony and Bec and your Baby Luke is very very cute… I just felt love at first sight with Luke….give my blessings to him…But I was missing your emails..and thanks for this one more ,inspirational Article…..I will ask my husband to read this Article……..
Congrats on new born baby
many many congratulations on welcoming a new member in your family
Have given the best message.This is what the people are required to know.
Anyhow congrats.
Hi Anthony,
Congratulations ? on the wonderful news and a huge big welcome to your new baby son Luke.
congrats
dear anthony…….
hearty congratulations…….may god bless u nd ur family.nd i really enjoing ur writings.they r so encouraging.could u please write about” how to attract people in society towards us”
Dear Dr Anthony,
Congratulations to you and and Bec on your cute newborn baby!
Congrates Dr. Anthony , Hello to little Fernando.
Hey Toni,
congrats man…i like your family motto..L.I.A.
congrats,on the new baby.he looks so cute
Hey first time father!
Many many Congratulations!
Be sure to enjoy
every minute of it!
Be Proud Papa
Congrates !!!
Congrats!! Not only the message but let me spen some time in knowing what my family name’s history is what does it stand for.
Hi ,
happy parenting.
Enjoy parenting .
Long live new born baby boy and the happy couple.
I congratulate you and your wife for a wonderful gift. I also want to thank you for this brilliant idea. I will definitely try it out.
Warm Congradgulations! what a lovely baby!
Hi there!
Congratulations to your new baby…Just letting you know that your baby shares the same birthday as me…Such wonderful news!
Hi Anthony,
The Sight of the Baby is so cute…. Overwhelmed by the First sight.. lovely … <3 <3 May Almighty Bless u and ur family with all thy Grace and happiness……..
Congrats!! May the almighty bless you and your family :)
Hi dr
First time reading yor message, saw your site below a inspirational
Video,starting off with the word”when things seems down,as they sometimes will”, I’m very impressed with the video,going through a rough time time in my marriage as a youngster,reading your message on how about you come to get a personal motto for you and family,I wanted to start getting communicating with you on aregular basis….?
Welcome to Luke!
Seven years ago I decided to create a motto to our family, in that time we had 8 children. The purpose for it it would be to remember easily our family values. Instead of a motto I wrote the lyrics for a song. The first part of it with all the values that were important to our family. Then with my husband´s help we wrote the 2nd part of the song with our family´s story. So there´s a couple of lines for each member of our family. Now we have 11 kids and each one of them feels really proud for being part of it. So the “Torres Family Hymn” is our presentation card.
By the way, congratulations for your baby Luke, and thanks a lot for all the motivational thoughts.
Congrats!!!
Congratulations To the Fernando’s family, God Bless You all !!!
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