My mom is my favorite person in the world. There is no one else I look up to more, no one else I would rather call on the phone on my walk back to my apartment after classes. She has always set the greatest example for me in both her words and actions, and now that I am older, I can see and appreciate all of the lessons she has been teaching me since the day I was born. Here are ten of the most important things I have learned from my mom over the years:
1. Laughter really is the best medicine.
A sense of humor can bring light into the darkest of days, and my mom has shown me this so clearly. Even during some of the toughest times in our lives, she was always able to make things better, to reassure me that it would all be okay, with her quick wit and ability to laugh through the storms life blew our way.
2. Family isn't always related by blood.
I have been let down by a few family members too many times to count. For a long time, this really upset me a lot. But, my mom has taught me that family isn't always related by blood. Sometimes family is your softball coach who fills the role of father that had been left empty or your best friend who becomes your sister forever. The definition of family is not purely biological and I think that is beautiful.
3. When you get to the end of your life, don't look back on it and have regrets.
My mom is my number one fan and the biggest supporter of all of my crazy dreams. She has always encouraged me to find the things that I love and pursue those. Whatever your dreams are, whatever mine are, we have to chase after them with all of our hearts because life goes by fast and I don't want to regret a single thing. I don't ever want to look back and see the things I might have accomplished if I had only tried.
4. Other people may not always agree with the decisions you make, but that's okay.
The people in your life don't always know the exact circumstances you are going through. All they can see is a little glimpse because it's not actually happening to them. So, sometimes all you can do is make the decision that you believe is in the best interest of yourself or your kids or your family, even if others don't agree. The most important thing is that you can stand firm in the fact that you did what you believed was right at the time.
5. Don't sell yourself short.
Don't ever believe that you are not good enough to do something. I think we all have a tendency to compare ourselves to other people and believe that they are capable of doing greater things than we are. Why? Each of us has a special, unique gift that we have been created to share with the world and there isn't a single other person out there that can do the same things we can.
6. Life is meant to be enjoyed.
School and grades and jobs are all important things and we should do our best in each of these areas. But it's also okay to have fun. It's okay to break out of the library every once in a while to go do something spontaneous because if you're not enjoying every last drop of the life you are living then you're missing the whole point.
7. Good friends are essential.
My mom doesn't have a huge group of friends. Instead, she has a few really close, deep friendships that I have seen her rely on when she has needed them. And I've seen them rely on her in return. It's not about the quantity of friends you have at all; it's about the quality. It's about who will be there for you when no one else is.
8. Never settle for a boy that doesn't see your worth.
Through my mom and my stepdad's marriage, I have seen a beautiful picture of what love looks like and I know that is the kind of relationship that I deserve to have someday. So do you. You deserve someone who pursues your heart, who treats you with respect, who does the little things that matter in a big way, who looks at you every day as though it's his first time.
9. You can forgive people without inviting them back into your life.
Sometimes there are relationships in your life that just aren't meant to be there. There are people that can pull you away from the person you are supposed to be. Forgive those people for the way they have treated you. Forgive them for all of the things they have done wrong. Forgiveness does not mean that they are entitled to be a part of your life. We are not obligated to keep unhealthy relationships around.
10. Change isn't a bad thing.
Growing up, I always hated change. I very much liked tradition and routine. But my mom has shown me that change is okay. In fact, most of our growth and self discovery happens during times of change.
