As Mother's Day draws near, I can't help but think of my own mother and all of the other mother figures who have helped shape and mold my professional career and my personal life. I am ever-grateful for my Mother's wisdom, teachings and unconditional love. No matter where I am age-wise, my Mother is my anchor, my rock, my comforter, and my one and only Mother, Mom, Mama, and Madre.
And even though I have long been grown up, I will always be her "girl" who makes her proud, who makes her laugh and who she still "shows off" to her friends who can't hear, don't care, or don't have a clue about whose daughter I am..."that's my girl" she'll tell them and I absolutely cherish our times together! My mother - the one who for years has told me good-bye in one breath and then wants a definitive answer to "when will you be home again?" in the next.
Contemplating this post, it occurred to me that some of my most valuable life (and career) lessons weren't "said" to me as much as they were "shown" to me by my mother and the many other female influencers I have been blessed enough to know along life's way. I learned from them, by them, through them, and with them as my magnificent role models. A few things my Mother, and the many others, taught me along the road of life...
- If you want it badly enough, you will figure it out.
- You can count your true friends on one hand.
- The only kind of dirt you need is the kind you can wash off.
- Put on your thinking cap; use your noggin'.
- No use crying over spilled milk.
- Education is the key to your future.
- Get to know the great composers, artists and poets of the world.
- You screw it up, you fix it up.
- Appreciate the beauty of classical music.
- The cows don't care if you're in a bad mood or a good mood; they still need to be milked.
- Don't compare yourself to anyone else.
- Putter around.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated.
- Like it or lump it.
- Be a good reader and don't sing-song your words.
- Everybody puts their shoes on the same way you do.
- Don't settle unless it's what you want.
- Hard work won't hurt you.
- No excuses.
- Somebody else will always have more than you do, so don't worry about it.
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers who have made you - you! Feel free to share a thought or two about how your mother (or mother figure) helped shape you, your career and your professional life.
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