In a world that’s constantly changing and altering its perceptions, there is one person who has always been a solid and fixed acquaintance in my life: my mom. No matter the distance between us or the obstacles that get in our way, she has always motivated me to be the best version of myself possible. Ever since I was a baby, I can remember my mom always being the one to make me feel better even in the worst situations, and to go along with that she has taught me many lessons over the years. Whether she meant for them to make an impact on me or not, they have, and I know I will take them with me throughout the rest of my life. Hopefully these nuggets of wisdom can help you out and maybe you too can share them with the ones you love too.
Number 1: Not everyone you meet is going to like you, and that’s ok.
Knowing that somebody doesn’t particularly enjoy your presence is the worst feeling ever, but throughout the duration of your time here on Earth, it’s bound to happen. They can be people in school, colleagues from work, or even friends who just changed their mind about how they feel about you. What you have to remember though, is that it’s nothing you did. Even if you are the kindest more selfless person ever, there’s still going to be the person who has the permanent “who crapped in their cornflakes?” attitude. I know it sucks, but you have to continue to be yourself, because at the end of the day, that’s truly the best thing you can be. Never let the opinions of others depict how you view yourself. Ever.
Number 2: Don’t over pluck your brows!!
Fashion and what’s in style is always changing, but there’s always one thing that should remain intact: your eyebrows. Being a member of the bushy brows club, I can confidently say that my eyebrows literally shape my everyday life. I have gone through many phases experimenting with shades, arches and length, but with the help of my mom, I have come to realize that the best type of eyebrow is the one you were born with. I am eternally grateful for my mom hiding my tweezers and telling me to leave the brows alone, because without her, I would probably be sporting the lord voldemort look right about now.
Number 3: It’s ok to cry and not know the reason for it.
There’s not a lot of things in the world that I am certain of, but one thing that I do know is the fact that everyone cries. Every human being on this Earth has been biologically programmed to feel emotion, and although some people may express it more than others, being able to open up instead of holding everything inside of you is the healthiest thing you can do. There were so many times in my life where I was on the verge of tears but had no idea why. However, supermom came to my rescue and taught me that this is completely normal. Life is a scary place and sometimes crying is something you just gotta do. So, if you ever get that feeling like you just watched Marley and Me or the Notebook, but there’s no solid reason for it, just know that it’s 100% normal and the best thing you can do for yourself is to let it all out.
Number 4: Naps are absolutely, positively essential.
Do you want to be successful? Do you want to be productive? Do you want to have more energy than you do now? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you my friend, are in need of a nap! If you answered no to these, you are probably so tired and delusional you didn’t understand the questions properly, and you, well you need a nap even more. Previously given the connotation of being an old people or baby thing, naps are are a staple in my everyday life. My mom; a wife, an owner of her own business and parent of 3 rowdy kids, wouldn’t be able to do everything she does without her daily naps. I have looked to her for inspiration and always give myself a least 10 minutes to hit the hay when my brain needs a recharge. I wake up feeling like a new woman and getting stuff done is so much easier. So do yourself a favor, put down that textbook and sleep your troubles away.
Number 5: Water is your very best friend.
Although my mom would probably never say “hydrate or diedrate” the concept of her teachings can be simplified into those three words. An average male is made up of 60% water and an average female is made up of 50%. The reason we have so much water inside of us is because it literally allows our bodies to function. Specifically, it’s used as a solvent for the transportation of nutrients, it controls our body heat, it lubricates our joints, and it’s used for shock absorption. Water is the basis for optimal health, so you, therefore, should drink it everyday. Being the stubborn baby that I am, I refused my previously established birthdate and decided to hang out in the womb just a little bit longer than needed. It got to the point where I had to get outta there, so the doctor gave my mom a liter of water, which she downed, and as a result, I hopped right out ready to start my life. So, obviously water can do great things for you. Avoiding dehydration and all the negative effects the come with it is super important, so get that daily 64 ounces of H2O in your system!
Number 6: Above everything else, follow your heart.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to take care of is yourself. Sure that means doing your studies, eating healthy and general hygiene, but the most imperative is taking care of your heart. If your heart isn’t happy, you aren’t happy. So, no matter what anyone else thinks or says to keep you from feeling your well deserved happiness, follow your heart. I promise you, it will never ever steer you wrong. Yeah the heart may be the cause for the miracle of life inside of you, but it’s also where you store the feelings for the things in life that you truly love. So, never neglect that.
These little pieces of advice may seem small, or insignificant, but for me, they mean the world. Hopefully you can take something from these ideas and maybe even share them with your future daughters and sons. My mom is such an important part of my life and the fact that I get to share my world with such an incredible woman makes me feel so #blessed. In the spirit of things, go let your mom know how much you love her. You are her everything and it’s only right to let her know that she is yours. Here’s to all the moms out there, you truly are extraordinary.