We can all agree that (even if we hate to admit it) our parents rock and they always know what is best for us. My parents and I have always had a close relationship, so it is very easy for me to discuss what all they have done for me. My parents have shaped me into the person I am today and here are some things I have learned along the way.
Be a good friend.
My parents were always professionals at teaching me and my brothers how we were to treat people around us. They taught us using words, but more important with their actions. We learned to be good friends because they told us to be, but we became good friends to everyone we have met because our parents had shown us how to do so.
Be content with little and be content with much.
For as long as I can remember, being grateful was something that was 100% respected in my household. Of course that would be the expectations of many, if not all, households but my parents always taught me both ways. To be content on the days it was hard to get by and most importantly to be content on the days that you were soaring through the clouds. You never know what the next day holds, so you should always love and be content with what you have in front of you.
Care about the right things.
My parents have always encouraged me to think and believe however I felt was important and correct. My parents have always encouraged good morality and values. Alongside that, my parents have also let me expand my horizons and find out what interests me and what I personally care about and then supported me. Whatever I wanted to care about I could, as long as it was something that I truly cared about and had a passion for.
Commit to your spouse.
This is one that I have always noticed throughout my life. Even before I understood exactly what it meant and all that went into one action, I was learning by each move my parents made. Rather it be the way my parents worked hard for each other and us, the way they both took the responsibility of cooking and cleaning or the way we saw them speak and treat each other in the good and frustrating times. My parents have shown us how to learn knew things with someone, how to care for a significant other, how to run a household alongside another person and most importantly how to love someone with all of your heart.
Disagree humbly.
We are not always right. We are not always speaking to someone who agrees with what we have to say. You do not have to ignore someone and on the same side you have all the rights in the world to speak and stand your ground, but with respect. If someone is disagreeing with you, you can have a respectful discussion or on the opposite side you can admit to your mistakes/faults/wrongfulness and there is no shame.
Work hard.
My parents have always taught us that we should never expect something from anyone. We should never settle for something that we are not completely happy with. But most importantly, that we are the people who can change that for ourselves. My parents taught us to dream big and then continuously encouraged us to chase those dreams until we couldn't chase them any longer.
You always have people to lean on.
Most of all, my parents taught me that if you find a friend, teacher, significant other or anyone else you could imagine and you can learn to care for them and trust them and confide in them, but most of all I ALWAYS have your parents to turn to no matter what and there is nothing I could ever do to change that.
