What We Learned From Our Mothers

Happy Mother’s Day!

Chances are, she taught you how to tie your shoes, kissed the boo boos when you fell down and believed in you when no one else did. On this Mother’s Day, we celebrate the woman that not only made our life possible, but the one who did her best to help us be the best person we can be – our mother.

As a tribute to all of the great mothers, we’ve compiled some of the many things we’ve learned from our mothers, as shared from more than 100 folks on Twitter. (Check out our blog to read each individual piece of advice!)

We hope you enjoy reading all this great advice from Mom, pass it along, and share a special hug with the mom in your life.

COMPASSION
Show compassion. Develop the ability to see yourself in someone else’s shoes and have an understanding of what that must be like. Always consider another’s feelings before speaking or acting. Have patience with others.

INDEPENDENCE
Be independent. Learn how to take care of your own finances, including how to balance a checkbook. Earn your own money and don’t be afraid to work for what you want. Every time you get some money, put $20 away and don’t touch it. You will know when you need it and it won’t be for a purse or for a pair of shoes. Never depend on someone else to live your life. It’s your life and your responsibility.

PLAYFULNESS
Take time to play! Laugh outloud and laugh often, because life is too short for frowns. Maintaining your sense of humor will get you through anything.

FAMILY
Family matters. Keep in touch with family. Turn to them to share when you’re happy and when you’re down- including your “family of choice”. Respect and honor your elders.

PERSEVERANCE
Follow your dream and make it happen! Never give up! Know that the sky is the limit! You can do anything you think you can. Be brave and never let your fears dictate your actions. Hard work and persistence will win every time. Remember, you have the ability to do anything and you’re never really stuck. Keep going and don’t give up! Tomorrow is another opportunity, another chance to do better than the day before. Celebrate your disappointments rather than dwelling on them, knowing that greater things are ahead. Never, ever give up! Always remember, you can do anything you put your mind to! Regardless of the challenges that lay ahead of us, with belief, hope and determination the impossible can be made possible.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Remember that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right the first time. Do your best and always be accountable for your actions and inactions. Know that “Maybe” is not a commitment- you must commit to make things happen. Get up and go to work everyday, even when you don’t want to, for life still happens. Never deceive yourself, but admit your mistakes and move on.

INTEGRITY
Honesty is the best policy. Always.

BE YOU
Think for yourself. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t let anyone stop you from doing the right thing. Do what you believe in…no matter what. Don’t follow what everyone else is doing, but instead, be the trend setter not the trendy one!

CREATIVITY
Be creative and know that you can make something from nothing. Use creative thinking in all situations and watch what happens! Always leave something to the imagination, for it’s timeless.

TIDINESS
Keep your surroundings neat and clean up after yourself. It’s not only good for you, but also for those around you.

HUMILITY
Be humble, as he who humbles himself will be exalted, he who exalts himself will be humbled.

KINDNESS
Treat others as you want to be treated. Always be nice and be the bigger person in situations where you need to be. Remember too, to mind your manners. Be courteous and polite. Listen to what people say about themselves, for they usually tell the truth about that. Lend a hand and be generous even if you don’t have a lot to share. There’s always room for one more at the table. Remember, there is always time to stop and talk, to share a kind word, offer a helping hand or just to listen to a friend or a stranger.

FRIENDSHIP
Be a good friend to others. Be happy and supportive in friendship, love and with your co-workers.Words are powerful so think before you speak. Don’t gossip or say unkind things about other people. If anyone talks bad about you, just hold your head high and take the high road. When you speak to people, filter your words through your heart. Listen to other peoples opinions as a closed mind is a wasted mind. Be an asset to others, not a liability. Always bring something of value to the table in every situation. Be the friend that you want other to be.

HEALTH
Move! Exercise regularly and eat healthy things that will nourish your body. Take the time to care for yourself.

ATTITUDE
Have positive thoughts. Meet life with an open heart and an open mind. Believe in yourself. Remember, there are only two things that you can control- your attitude and your effort. You can’t control anyone else. But regardless, know that nothing that happens to you is really that big of a deal, so let things go. Don’t hold onto things that no longer serve the greater you. Remember that “this too shall pass”. Above all, live each day to the fullest!

FORGIVENESS
Forgive quickly and often. “I’m sorry” is a very powerful thing to say, so use it when needed. And remember when you’re angry, that anger and love can coexist. Always, forgive your brothers and sisters. Forgive your enemies and remember too, to forgive yourself.

EDUCATION
Continue to learn. Ask good questions. Read good books and expand your mind.

SELF RESPECT
Respect yourself and know that you are enough, just the way you are. Never say ‘never’ and never say ‘always’. And… always be true to yourself and not worry about what others might think.

ENVIRONMENT
Love and appreciate the natural world around you. Protect our Earth, as it is your home.

RELATIONSHIPS
Find a man that’s good to his Mama. Never, ever fight over a man. If he’s yours, it’s not necessary; if he’s not, you have no business there. Treasure your beloved. Don’t ever “settle” just to be in a relationship. Rather than seek someone you want to live with, seek someone you don’t want to live without. Don’t date someone you wouldn’t want to marry, for you never know who you’ll fall in love with.

HAPPINESS
Choose to be happy. Find pleasure in simple things such as listening to the birds sing or the scent of clean clothes fresh out of the dryer. Be happy even when your life is sad and remember to spread your happiness with others.

FAITH
Have faith in everything, including others. Pray to and trust in God. Know that praying nonstop with tears will surely change something, even it takes your whole lifetime. Kneel down and pray, as God has all the answers in all situations. Never ever lose hope.

GRATITUDE
Always show gratitude for things given to you by saying “Thank You” and remember to send “Thank you” cards. Be grateful for everything you have, and not be bitter for what you’ve lost or jealous of what others have.

GIVE
Make giving a way of life. There are plenty of people in need. Your purpose is to find someone to help and then help them. Give with no expectation of anything in return.

LOVE
Love is the most powerful force on the planet! Therefore, do all things with unconditional love. Don’t judge others, but instead, be supportive and kind. Put others before yourself. Love all people and remember, all races are equal, so never look at skin color or nationality. Love without expectation of anything in return. Love knows no boundaries, has no conditions and no pain – it only knows giving, and more giving. Show your love through action and demonstration. Shows what love is, what it looks and feels like. Remember to love yourself and above all else, know that you are loved!