Adages to Live by

Adages To Live Life By AND THINGS I HOPE MY CHILDREN CARRY WITH THEM

“Expect nothing, appreciate everything.”

Aunt Vicki

I grew up on those words and now that I have children, they too are instilled with that same core value. That one simple phrase taught and drove the gift of meekness in me and my children. Now this does not mean that we should be doormats and be indebted for any crumb life throws our way. It means that those who spend there lives with an open palm, frequently find themselves empty-handed. This is a very self-absorbed generation, humility is such a exquisite characteristic, but where it was once a sign of integrity, it is now seen as a vulnerability. Humility is not about being ineffectual. It is quite the contrary, about having the audacity to say I am repentant, rather than lose a meaningful relationship. It is the grace to pick your battles and the eloquence to say thank you.

“Don’t Ever Love Someone More Than You Love Yourself”

Mom

If you have to modify who you are, pretend to be someone you aren’t then you are not in the right relationship. Love is accepting the good, the bad and the ugly about someone. We all will have skeletons in our closets and quirks but never be ashamed of who you are. If you spend more time making justifications for someone’s bad behaviors then you are not being loved properly and it is time to walk away. Loneliness is the most curable ailment, living a lie and misery are more devastating to the psyche than being with a person who gets all you have and gives you nothing back at the end of the day.

“Forgiveness Has It’s Limits, But So Does Resentment”

Mom

In life people will disappoint you and hurt you. It is how we live, learn and grow. While I will want to annihilate any person that makes you cry, you have to learn to stand on your own. People deserve second chances, people make mistakes, but you have to use common sense. If all you are doing is listening to empty apologies then all you are doing is wasting energy. Use that energy cultivating relationships that are rewarding as opposed to draining. Anger is like a sickness though and so is resentment, you have to move on. Every failed relationship just teaches us what we need to get from people and what we need to avoid. Consider those jealous, backstabbing and hurtful souls as stepping stones. Hatred puts callousness in our soul if we allow it too and empowers those that sought to hurt us in the first place.