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TEN LESSONS FROM MY MOTHER

May 12, 2016

I know what you might be thinking:  "Wasn't Mother's Day last weekend?"  Yes, it certainly was.  The more I thought about the matter, however, the more I realized that if we all appreciated our mothers' lessons even after Mother's Day, we would all most likely be in better frames of mind.

Most of the life lessons I have been taught have been handed down to me by my parents. They are firm believers in sharing their own past experiences with me, and by doing so, they have taught me so much about life:  the good, the bad, and how to react to both. Especially here lately, I've been appreciating my mother's trove of wisdom.  This post is just a sampling of the advice she's given me that has changed my life for the better.

Prep For A Day

Lesson One:  Prioritize!  Make a list!  Decide what you "need" to get done versus what you "want" to get done.
My mother has told me this mantra approximately one hundred times in the past six months, and if I've learned anything, it's that life is much easier when you follow this rule of thumb.

Lesson Two:  Money cannot buy good taste.
The next time you catch yourself eyeing that celebrity's eye-opening shoes, just remember:  cost and style value are not necessarily directly related.

Lesson Three:  Sometimes you just need to step back, relax, and get your mind off of things.
When I'm extremely worried about something, this lesson never fails to get me in a better frame of mind.  Removing yourself from stressful situations is the first step to removing yourself from stress itself.

Lesson Four:  Karma is very, very real.
To put it very frankly:  life may not be fair, but it does have a charmingly ironic way of coming full circle.

Lesson Five:  It's not you, it's them.
When you are aware that people around you are being less than cordial, don't let yourself be tricked into thinking that their behavior is a result of some deficiency that exists inside of you.  Nine times out of ten, the people around you are the ones who have serious deficiencies, not you.

Lesson Six:  Always be yourself.
It's true:  there is no one out there who is you-er than you, and there is no one else who you are truly meant to be.

Lesson Seven:  Be thankful for all of the gifts you have been given.
Especially in times of stress and disappointment, it's in our nature to question why life has gone sour. Instead of focusing on what is wrong, try to focus on what was right--or even better, focus on what will be made right by you making good use of your talents and decisions.

Lesson Eight:  Do not let others' negative opinions affect your choices or your opinion of yourself.
My mom once told me something that has stuck with me since:  "Don't let those people get to you;  don't let them make you think you are less than what you are.  Don't let them convince you to ruin your life, because in the end, you'll be the only one who has to deal with the pain."

Lesson Nine:  Do the right thing even when you might get flack for doing so.
I'm sure we all remember the school poster that read "What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right."  It's so, so true!  A quality that my mother values is integrity, and she has instilled its importance into my own ideals.

Lesson Ten:  Never, ever, EVER give up on your dreams or your goals.
If my mom were writing this, she would most likely end by expressing her hope that this lesson is the most-remembered of them all.  No matter what twists and turns are thrown into your life, never let anything distract or deter you from seeking your dreams.  Strive to live a life without regrets, and you will live happily.

If you take away even a fraction of my mother's no-nonsense, practical advice, I know you're on your way to achieving great things.  To conclude:  listen to the ones you love (especially mothers) because, believe it or not, they have advice worth listening to.

What are some of the lessons that you've received from your mother?

Love,
Tori

2 comments:

  1. love that you're doing this now-Mother's Day (the frame of mind) should be practiced everyday! I agree and share no. 5 too!
    _katelyn
    theyellowspectacles.com

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    Replies
    1. Lesson Five is one of my absolute favorites! I'm glad that you enjoyed the post!

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