Grandparents are filled with with words of wisdom. With age comes experience, so grandparents have a natural tendency to impart life lessons onto their grandchildren. As a young child, I loved to listen to the bedtime stories my grandma would tell me; every parable, fairy tale, and storybook recited by my grandma had simple life lessons on how to be a better person. My grandma’s messages are still indented into my personality and I would not be the person I am today without the morals she instilled in me. Here are five important life lessons my grandma taught me:
1. Stay Cool-Headed
As you go through life, difficult situations often arise. In order to overcome hurdles, you need to stay calm and have a clear head. During emergency situations, panicking is not the solution (although that may be your first instinct), instead, you must remain composed so that you can think of a solution. It may not always be easy to avoid being stressed, but you have to find peace within yourself so that your thoughts are clear and meaningful.
2. Think Before You Speak
If you get into an argument with someone, be careful with your words. You do not want to say something that you will regret later, especially hurtful words. Always try to speak with kindness and never use foul language as it will aggravate any situation. Even during a normal conversation, you should plan out what you say so that your words are eloquent and well-said. Speaking is an art which takes time to master, but good speakers are known for their ability to clearly articulate their thoughts into words.
3. Keep In Touch With Family
No matter what happens in life, your family will always have your back. It’s very important to stay in contact with your family members and catch-up on life. A simple phone call or text can go a very long way. Try to be appreciative of all that your family has done for you and remember that family is everything.
4. Respect Others
Respect everyone — from young children to the elderly. Be compassionate when interacting with others so that you make others feel cared for. Common courtesies such as holding the door for others, saying “please” and “thank you,” or giving up your seat for pregnant women or the elderly conveys a sense of respect which can be applied to strangers, acquaintances, and family. My grandma told me, “Without respect, no relationship can be formed,” and these words have really stayed with me because respect is a mutually held value.
5. Persevere Towards Accomplishing Your Goals
My grandma emphasized that working hard to achieve your ambitions is one of the most salient life lessons. Whatever you want to be in life is determined by the amount of effort and dedication you put into reaching your fullest potential. My grandma reminded me, “Always keep your goals in mind.” Goal-setting is paramount to being motivated and productive.
I am so grateful and fortunate to have the opportunity of being taught by my grandmother. I hope to continue this tradition of story-telling and pass down the lessons I learned to my kids and grandkids one day.
