1. Always be ready to lend a hand

My mom is the most selfless person I know. Growing up, I got used to seeing my mom shovel driveways for neighbors, bring food to her friends going through tough times, and volunteer to help out with anything and everything around town. Whether she knows it or not, her kindness has had a profound effect on me and has shaped the way I want to live my life.

2.Be spontaneous (it's more fun that way)

I can always count on my mom to be up for spontaneous fun. Whether that be deciding last minute to take a road trip, to ignore the GPS to venture into a cute town, or to do something crazy to our hair just because. It is good to plan ahead, but sometimes it's just more fun to ignore the plan and make a new one on the fly.

3. Friends are family, too

My mom treats her friends like family. She is loyal and thoughtful, and she makes an effort to catch up with friends that she does not get to see often. Friendships are some of the most important relationships that we have, and it takes work to maintain them. Treat your friends as you would your family, and let them know how much they are appreciated.

4. Everything is better after a hot cup of tea

Whenever I am having a bad day, my mom always either recommends a hot cup of tea or a hot bath. Because a bath is not an option at college, I usually resort to the hot tea. Holding a warm mug in your hands and drinking something soothing is by far the simplest and quickest way to improve a bad day. My mom's go-to's (and therefore mine as well) are green tea or chamomile. No one has ever regretted drinking a cup of hot tea.

5. Don't worry about what other people think

My mom is unapologetically herself. I was initially apprehensive about writing for Odyssey because I did not like the idea of my writing being judged, but my mom inspired me to post my first article. She reminds me every day that it is important to do what you know is right and what makes you happy, because in the end that is all that matters.