Words of Wisdom – If you have parents, you have probably heard these words...
Do you remember when your parents had all the answers? When kids are little, they take every word a parent says as the gospel truth. Somewhere along the line, most kids start to have their own ideas and start coming up with their own answers. Ironically, the smarter the kid gets, the dumber the parents get… or so it would appear.
Of course, a parent’s job, after seeing to it that their children have food, clothing and shelter, is to make sure they are taught how to be good citizens and productive members of society. Easier said than done!
Most kids, no matter when they were born, have heard more than once, “Don’t pick your nose, sit up straight, don’t talk with food in your mouth, eat your vegetables, be polite, tell the truth, always say please and thank you” and other things along that line. These are all valid concerns parents like to address and tidbits of advice that would serve anyone well in life.
If you were anything like I was as a teenager, you probably thought… no, you KNEW that you knew everything. It was hard for me to believe that my parents had made it so far in life, knowing so little about it. If only I could make them see it my way…
There were times when I could just see it coming. I knew what they were going to say before they said it because I had heard it so many times. I can’t believe how many times I got in trouble for rolling my eyes when unsolicited advice was handed out.
• Winners never quit, and quitters never win.
• Don’t cross your eyes or they will get stuck like that.
• Don’t jump off the bridge just because everyone does.
• You are only as good as the company you keep.
• Think before you speak.
• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• Anything worth having is worth working hard for.
• Stupid is as stupid does.
• Beauty is only skin deep.
• Need and want are two different things.
• Do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it again.
• Work harder, not smarter.
• If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.
• Everybody’s poop stinks.
• Be true to yourself.
• What goes around, comes around.
• This too shall pass.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.
• Lead by example.
• Get over it.
• Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.
• Learn from your mistakes.
• Family first.
• Appreciate the little things.
• Never miss a good chance to shut up.
• “NO” is a complete sentence.
• Forgiving someone else is something you do for yourself.
• Life is about change.
• Everything old becomes new again.
• Stop and smell the roses.
• Don’t borrow worry/trouble.
• Your attitude is your choice.
• Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.
• Complaining gets you nowhere.
• Aim for the stars but shoot for the moon.
• Always treat people the way you want to be treated.
The list literally goes on and on and of course, as we age, this all starts to make sense. I think, however, quite possibly the best piece of advice that I have ever heard, that is suitable for all ages is, “If you are going to be dumb, you better be tough!”.
