What are 5 nuggets of wisdom that have been imparted to you by people you've cherished? How do those nuggets show up in your daily life... or do they? Have the words of wisdom shaped you? Which nuggets have you passed on to people who cherish you?
Well, it turns out my mom actually had some wise things to say. How do I know this? Because, dadgummit, I find myself repeating them to my own kids on a daily basis. The words just fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.
(1) Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
My mom repeated this to me anytime I got down about things that didn't go the way I expected them to. She still recites this verse to me as an adult. I have quoted it to my own 8 year-old daughter a few times just this past year. Dontcha' hate it when you find out Mom was right?
(2) "She didn't make you feel that way. You allowed her to make you feel like that."
Classic mom, again. I have to repeat this one to myself a LOT. I have to reign in my emotions many, many times. I have a tendency to fall into pits of self pity. This mantra pulls me out of my pit quite frequently. Others' words only have as much power as we give them.
(3) "(S)he who laughs, lasts." Mary Pettibone Poole.
I love this quote. I have to remind myself to laugh when I get too serious or sad. Laughter truly is a medicine for me. It's as vital to my daily existence as water. I thirst for laughter. A hearty guffaw just makes me feel better.
And while I'm on the subject of Ms. Poole... I had to look up the quote above to make sure I had the author right. I found another great quote during my search. That Mary Pettibone Poole was a cool chick. MUST Google her to find out who she was!
Oh, the quote! "To repeat what others have said requires education; to challenge it requires brains." You go, girl.
(4) "Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you."
It's a Spanish proverb. Who knew the Spanish were so wise? I knew they made good rice, but this... this is better than Spanish rice!
I have a love/hate relationship with gossip. I hate being "out of the loop", but I hate being "in the know", too. I just don't get a good feeling when I hear gossip. I have been the victim of it, and I try to stay away from it. I have learned the hard way not to trust too many people with my secrets, and I never get too close to people with loose tongues.
(5) "You can't love an inanimate object."
Wisdom from Dad. My sister and I used to roll our eyes whenever we heard this one, but it has truth to it. While I guess it is true that you can love THINGS, they won't love you back. It's better to invest in loving people. Dad was right after all.
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