The Good Enuf Mommy

Lessons From My Mom: Life’s Greatest Teacher

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Dear mom,

It wasn’t until I became a mom myself that I truly understood what you went through when I was first born. I admit that as I grew up there were many times that I took for granted the many daily sacrifices you made without fail.

You went back to work when I was only two months old because dad was out of a job.  That took tremendous courage and strength. You stayed up with me all night as I projectile vomited across the room and then put a smile on your face the next day for a classroom full of other people’s children. You loved me, encouraged me, and supported me through the most difficult times of my life. It is no wonder you have always been everyone’s favorite teacher, principal, and now university professor. You are so wise.

This mother’s day I want to take a moment to honor the advice you have passed down to me:

Lessons From My Mom - the life lessons you have taught me

5 Life Lessons I Learned From My Mom

1. “If you don’t love it, leave it”:

 
I know this was in reference to monetary purchases I wasn’t sure about making, but I believe there is greater life lesson at work in this statement. If you’re not passionate about something, don’t waste your time pursuing it. Don’t waste your money or efforts on things of little value to you. If you love something, don’t let anything stop you from achieving it. Follow your passions and pursue your dreams.
 

2. Laugh at Yourself

 
For whatever reason there is nothing funnier than a scene by scene playback of once of us committing embarrassing faux pas. Some of these stories are the stuff of legend (i.e. the treadmill story).  Others are daily little tidbits we share to lighten the mood. You always taught me to embrace each mistake with a sense of humor and learn to laugh off any adversity that came my way.
 

3. Family First

 
You are an excellent example in my life of putting family first. You taught me about work/life balance as a working mother. You always excelled at your job but you never put your work above your kids. I never felt second. You always had time to build lasting memories with us that I carry with me to this day.
 

4. Everyone Has a Story to Tell

 
 “Empathy is not inherent,” you would say, “It is learned.” You taught me to have empathy for others. You taught me to care for others above myself, just as you have done. You taught me to listen more than I speak, and to hear the lessons in every story of those living alongside of us. Stories of success, stories of despair and stories of hope can teach us something about how we are meant to live. You also taught me that it is okay to rewrite your own story and begin again at chapter one.
 
 

5.  The Power of an Optimistic Spirit

 
No matter what storm came my way, you could always put a positive spin on it. When I wanted to move provinces and barely even had a plan to support myself, you told me I would find my way. When I was in the throes of postpartum psychosis, you told me that one day I would inspire others. When my husband lost his job, you told us that God had bigger plans. No matter what the circumstance you always believed I could overcome it, and so I believed it too.
 

6. Stress is Simply the Absence of a Plan

 
This is my favorite quote of yours to date. Every time I face a challenge in my life, this sentence always comes to mind. I hear your voice reminding me that worry is a useless emotion and that I all I need to do is create a plan of action; that I just need to take that first step. I have watched you endure many personal challenges in your life. In every instance, you have demonstrated grace despite opposition that came your way. Your strength has been a testament to the power of perseverance and what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it.
 
Lessons from my mom
 

BONUS: How to Rock a Poncho

 
You taught me about embracing personal style no matter what other people think. And maybe your style has rubbed off on me as well….
 
 
I love you mom! Happy Mother’s Day
 
Tiff (The Good Enuf Mommy)
This is part of our May #TAKETIME Link up! Feel free to link up your posts about moms here!
 
 
A letter to my mom on mother's day and the 5 life lessons she has taught me

 

 

 

 

Comments

  9. Being a teacher myself, I appreciate the lessons teachers like your mom brought into the classroom. It's people like her that inspired me to become one. Thank you for sharing!

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  14. Aw, i love these. I’ve learned so many great things from my mom and I find more and more things each year that I get older

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  15. If you don’t love it, leave it is such a powerful phrase! I absolutely believe this. My mother didnt give the that nugget of wisdom but she instilled a lot of things in me that I equally cherish! I love the post 🙂

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  17. Love this list and #6 is definitely something I am quickly learning. With 2 little ones, I have to plan out everything so even if things don’t go as planned, I get less stressed out knowing that I can stay a little flexible. You mom is so wise 🙂
    -Linh

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  18. My mother and I don’t see eye to eye most of the time, but I do realize how much she has done for me. There’s some things she’s taught me that she didn’t even realize she taught me and I’ve just learned by observing her. A lot of her mistakes have been learning lessons for me and she also has some qualities about her that I really admire that have helped mold me as a person. The fact that she even raised me…. I just have to give her a kudos because I know I was difficult sometimes. Thanks for sharing your post with us!

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  19. I had a working mom who somehow seemed to be able to do it all. Your post brought back a lot of sweet memories!

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  20. Wow. “Stress is simply the absence of a plan.” That’s brilliant! That will definitely stick with me. This is such a great post, what a nice tribute to your mom!

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  21. I’ve never heard #6 before and I love that. So true and such a calming way to think when you’re stressed. It makes me stop and think of my next step.

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  23. This is just so precious! You have an incredible mother. Mothers are truly irreplaceable, I don’t know how I would survive sans mine.

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  28. Happy Mother’s Day to you and your Mom! I loves these pearls of wisdom. Ill be pondering #6 for a while because it makes so much sense!!

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  29. My mom is always making sure I’m not taking myself too seriously. I go to her about everything. Since she adopted my brother and I when we were older, she never had the newborn experience, but it hasn’t stopped her from holding my hand and being there to give me advice along the way. I freaking love my mom and I love this post. Happy Mother’s Day.

    Reply

  30. “If you don’t love it, leave it.” This is such awesome advice and could apply to anything from a toxic relationship to an expensive sweater you’re on the fence about buying. It’s a question I plan on asking myself more often: “do you love it.” I love this post!

    Reply

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