Being in college, I do not have my parents around all the time to make sure I am behaving as virtuous as I should be. However, the lessons they have taught me throughout the year still stick with me. Here are seven of the lessons I will never forget:
1. Appreciate anyone who serves you.
Waiters, sales associates, and even the person serving you chicken nuggets at McDonald's, you need to respect them! My parents grew up working shitty minimum wage job, and then pushed me to get a shitty minimum wage job so I could see that the last thing that a part time worker wants is someone yelling at them. Whether it is for a simple mistake, or something that is out of their control.
2. When in doubt, write it down.
If you feel like you might forget something, or you find yourself using the phrase "I'll probably remember this", then WRITE IT DOWN! When I was younger, my dad always made me list things or write it down on a post-it note. To me, that was the most tedious thing ever, but now I actually use it to keep on top of my school work and stay organized.
3. Hard work will get you anywhere.
Many people have told me this, but nothing compares to actually growing up and watching my parents work hard to get where they wanted to be. My parents were divorced and I always appreciated how much effort they put into taking care of my brother and I, because both of them still had to work. My dad sometimes worked weekends or during vacations, so he could advance in his company. My mom worked hard in school for pharmacy tech (while I was in middle school) hoping to find a job she likes. When she decided she did not like that job anymore, she worked hard to find a better job.
4. Do not lie, because people will always find out the truth.
You know those little white lies everyone told as a kid? I could never tell them because my parents would never let me get away with it. I may have been upset at the time, but I learned important life lessons. Now, lying just complicates problems. People lie about stupid things that if said outright, could save drama and time. Because of this, I consider myself an honest person. Some people call it blunt, but whatever it's called, I can thank my parents for that trait.
5. Always bring an extra pair of underwear
Underwear is a necessity! One time I was at a sleepover, and I got pushed in a pool and could have used that extra pair of underwear. This lesson counts for more than just underwear, though. Before I go out, I think of my parents reminding me to always bring my coat or my umbrella. Anything that I could use in an emergency, my parents told me to bring it anywhere I go. I still carry a first aid kit in my backpack, just in case.
6. Be confident in who you are.
My parents are not always the most normal people int the world, especially my mom. She is that loud relative that bring out her guitar at every single family gathering. Sometimes she even get strangers to start singing with her. As her daughter, it's pretty hard not to be embarrassed of that, but my mom always looks like she is having a lot of fun up there. It influenced me to establish and "I don't care what people think of me" attitude that helps me in everyday life.
7. Reliability is everything.
In general, being there for someone when they need help is the most amazing quality a person can have. I always try to be the most reliable person I can be, because when I was younger and needed help, my parents were always there for me. Of course. they kind of had to be. Even now, they are still there when I need help, despite the fact I am almost a grown up.
Of course, there are plenty more lessons I can thank my parents for but these seven are the lessons that have had a significant affect on personality and I will never forget them no matter how far away I am from my parents. There are so many reasons I have to thank my parents for and these are the most important reasons.
