Work & Relationship Wisdom
Work & Relationship wisdom: Couples that work together thrive when they stay in their unique lanes and focus on doing what they do best! Just like a well-oiled machine, each partner brings their strengths, skills, and passions to the table, creating a harmonious dynamic. Embrace your individual talents, support each other’s endeavors, and watch your relationship grow stronger! ❤️🌟 #PowerCouple #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
This Is The Most Important Thing I've Ever Done
As a parent I've always felt that it's not my job to to raise my kids into who I want them to be, but rather the best version of who they naturally are. This has required a lot of watching and observing what their natural gifts and abilities are, but also what they naturally gravitate towards.
We all have gifts we are born with. Yes, we can develop and progress in any area if we are motivated enough, but there are certain abilities that are innate.
Harvard psychologist, Howard Gardner, developed a theory of multiple intelligence. He proposed there are actually 8 different types; although they aren't mutually exclusive, typically people will be particularly strong in one dominant area. (The 9th was added later.)
✔️Visual-Spatial Intelligence
Strengths: Visual and spatial judgment
✔️Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence
Strengths: Words, language, and writing
✔️Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
Strengths: Analyzing problems and mathematical operations
✔️Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
Strengths: Physical movement, motor control
✔️ Musical Intelligence
Strengths: Rhythm and music
✔️ Interpersonal Intelligence
Strengths: Understanding and relating to other people
✔️ Intrapersonal Intelligence
Strengths: Introspection and self-reflection
✔️ Naturalistic Intelligence
Strengths: Finding patterns and relationships to nature
✔️ Existential Intelligence
Strengths: Ability to contemplate philosophical topics relating to mankind's existence
#collegetocareer #collegetocareerreadiness #raisingkids #multipleintelligences #findyourgift #giftedchildren #lifeadvice #parentingadvice
Simple Tip to Advance Your Career
‼️Remember peoples names!‼️
Dale Carnegie talks about this in his best selling book, “How To Win Friends and Influence People”. He calls this a hallmark good breeding.
Here are 3 tips on how to remember a person’s name:
🏆 when someone introduces themselves repeat their name back to them and also at least once in the conversation
🏆 ask them something about their name like how to spell it, or if it’s unique what is the meaning of it or origin
🏆when you close the conversation say their name in the goodbye
#careeradvice #dalecarnegie #interviewtips #collegeadmissions #collegetocareer
What is the #1 Factor in Success?
When my firstborn was preparing for college, it was a former Asst Director of Admissions at Yale that coached her because it was too difficult for me to coach my own children (as I am very subjective). But it was her own individual perseverance that got her to where she needed to be. I’ve mentored young adults and adults from college to career and I can tell you the number one factor in success is perseverance. You don’t have to be the smartest one in the room, but you do have to be the hardest working.
#Grit #DontgiveUp #WomenInBusiness #womanownedbusiness #careerconsultant #Perseverance #collegetocareer
Financially Intelligent Kids?
When my son was 15 I wanted him to learn how to buy and sell stocks on his own by researching companies and following the market.
I told him that I would match him every dollar he invested but if he ever pulled the money out he would have to give me back what I put in. As added incentive, I told him he could keep any gains, even off my portion. He agreed.
I explained to my husband that this was a life lesson and even if he lost money, I would rather he lose thousands now rather than millions later in life. Learning to take calculated risks is part of being financially intelligent.
This was one of the best things I could have done for him. He’s 18 now and his knowledge as far as investing rivals any adult I know. He’s made some good and bad choices, but overall he’s way up.
Teaching kids to be financially intelligent will pay you dividends for years to come.
Watch the full video on my YouTube channel!
Relationships Are Not Always 50/50
What do y’all think? Do you agree that relationships are not always 50/50? 🤔
Beauty from Ashes
Finally moving home after a two-year rebuild.
I truly believe that living in a state of gratitude can get you through most of life’s adversities. This takes a tremendous amount of faith. I know this sounds esoteric, but when the lightning destroyed our home, I focused primarily on how grateful I was that my kids were safe.
In life, your misfortune could always be worse. Find ways to be grateful that it’s not.
Your attitude towards setbacks will determine how you overcome them.
Will you be the victim or the Victor?
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James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
What Does Love Really Look Like?
I was making this video of our weekend celebration for Caden and wondering what to write in the caption. Then I got this beautiful text from my friend Jennifer Gabriel Barbaro ❤️🙏
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What does love really look like?
It’s easy to feel bombarded with information about what it means to love and to be loved. But the template for true love isn’t found in cultural trends, it was given to us by the God who represents the concept itself.
His love is different from any other kind of love. In fact, the Bible says that God is love.
God sent His only Son to die for the sins of every person. There was only one reason for God to experience that kind of heartache: His love for us.
God didn’t need us, but He wanted us. His love is unconditional, sacrificial, everlasting, and for everyone. When we accept God’s love for us, we can then love Him in return and let Him change the way we see ourselves. And when we learn to see ourselves through the lens of God’s love, we start to love others like God loves us.
Jesus modeled what God’s love looked like when He gave up His life for us. We didn’t deserve or earn it—but that didn’t stop Him from going to the cross on our behalf.
We become His friends when we accept His sacrifice and receive His forgiveness. But Jesus says we will truly know that we are His friends if we do what He asks of us (John 15:14). And this is what Jesus asks of us…
“Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:12-13 NLT
If we love Jesus, then we are His friends. But if we are His friends, then we will care about what He cares about. And He cared so much about us that He gave up His rights, authority, and life so that anyone could experience God’s eternal love. Jesus will call us His friends if we are willing to do the same thing.
So what would laying down your life for a friend look like? Maybe this means giving up your plans for a day in order to serve someone. It could look like preserving a relationship by intentionally giving up an argument. Or maybe it means sacrificing your time, energy, or self-image in order to come alongside someone who is hurting.
God’s love in action is selfless because it causes us to think about ourselves less. So today, ask God to show you how you can love others like He has sacrificially loved you.❤️
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Thank you to all my friends who sacrificed their weekend to celebrate Caden and our home finally being complete. Who then came over the next day and grilled, played with my kids and cleaned up because I was exhausted.
Thank you to my family for always being there for me and my kids. My brother for taking such great care of our parents so I can take care of their grandkids.
And thank you to Tate for showing Caden what true friendship and brotherhood looks like. As Caden goes off to college, I am grateful that he will always know where his True North is, not just in his family and faith, but also in friendship.
Rebuilding Our Home After Fire
I’ve talked a lot about stories in my recent posts, so here’s one…
I’ve always believed that a home should tell the story of your life.
Two years ago when our home was struck by lightning, the firefighters came through our home and took great care to cover the family photos because they knew that they were important to me. The conscientiousness was palpable.
When people walk through your home, they should get a sense of who you are, even if they have never met you before, I believe that the firefighters did.
When rebuilding our home, I wanted to create something that represented us and our journey. This particular room, which happens to be one of my favorite rooms in the house, I had paintings commissioned by a very talented local artist, Giovanna DiZurita.
I asked her if she could represent our family in the painting as if we were living in the Renaissance or a different period of time. I wanted the chandeliers in the picture to look like the Palace of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, which happens to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in person.
I think she did a beautiful job. To me, the paintings represent souls that are connected regardless of time or space. It’s a manifestation of eternal love, soul mates, and the transient nature of time.
I did not refurbish Athena, Goddess of Wisdom & War, or Apollo because the damage done to them from the fire represents an event in our lives. It becomes part of our story.
You can not erase your history; you can only embrace it.
It becomes a part of who you are and who you will become.
These are the stories we will tell our grandchildren one day.
#herstory #history #beautyfromashes
Current Division in our Country
I wrote this years ago on but I thought it was worth reposting considering our current division in our country…
When I was 13 years old, I was reading a very ambitious book for my age... I don't recall the exact name, but it had something to do with the rise of Christianity in Western Civilization. My uncle, a Doctor of Theology, saw me at the kitchen table and immediately walked over and picked the book up from my hands. He turned to the back of the book and began to read about the author. After about five minutes, he handed the book back to me. I asked him what he was looking at and he explained to me the importance of understanding the “perspective" of the person whose book you're reading. You see, the title of the book was ambiguous enough that it could have been written by an atheist who didn't tell the story from a Christian worldview, but rather a secular one. Don't get me wrong, atheists have the right to write books too, but it's important that we understand what we're reading and whose perspective we are digesting.
The same goes when watching the news, reading the newspaper, or listening to a speaker. It's okay to read and listen to different viewpoints, it's just important that we understand the angle, perspective, and motive of the person delivering the message. Personally, I like to watch opposing viewpoints because it helps me understand the other side of the argument. It helps me to challenge my own belief system and hopefully strengthen it.
The best debaters know both sides of the argument. They can argue the opposite side just as well as they can argue their own. Every "side" has its "points" and that is why the country is so divided. But YOUR truth comes down to what is consistent with who you are as a person, your faith and your belief system.
My uncle taught me an invaluable lesson that day. It has since stayed with me for the majority of my life. Everything I read, everything I hear, I always consider the source and where they're coming from and why. What do they have to gain and what is their motive/agenda? Sometimes there isn't one, or the motive is for good, but my point is simply to be AWARE.
I’ve Always Loved to Teach
I’ve always loved to teach. I started my career in higher education as a Career Counselor until being recruited into the corporate world of business. It’s funny how life comes full circle and now my side hustle (hobby) is helping kids prepare for college.
I am grateful for the experiences life gave me in business because although I’m somewhat in the same place that I started, I have a lot more wisdom to impart 20 years later. I have a fuller perspective and an expanded ability to teach what I know. If I had only stayed in academia, there’s no way I would know how to start, build, brand, or scale businesses. I would not know how to handle finances, trusts, legal issues, contracts, create organizational structures, trademarks etc. There’s only so much you can learn from textbooks…you have to just go out and do it.
That’s one of the main lessons I try to teach my kids and students, “do” something that others aren’t doing. Make it unique, think outside the box. If you do what everyone else is doing, you will end up where everyone else is.
Have I Loved Others Well?
I love going on vacation but sometimes having idle time leaves too much space to contemplate things that I wouldn’t otherwise have time to in my very busy life.
Going into the second half of my life I wonder if it’s been a life well lived. Have I used the gifts at my disposal to make a positive impact on the world… have I lived a life of integrity? Have I been of service to others, to my family, to my kids?
But mainly, have I loved others well?
As a Christian, the concept of loving others is such an understated fundamental. I think people miss the message here. Christianity is a synonym for love. It’s something you “do” - people should know you’re a Christian by what you do more than what you say.
I was discussing the merits of Christianity with a friend who was focused on the judgement she felt by other Christians. I’m not sure how self-professed Christians came to the conclusion that somehow, they were placed in a position to judge others but the truth is it’s the exact opposite. The point of Christianity is that we don’t have the right to judge others because we are all so flawed and imperfect ourselves. I don’t understand why Christians do such a bad job representing their faith. I also don’t understand why people judge Christianity by these people that aren’t representatives of the faith.
I think my friend felt comforted by our conversation, at the very least she knew she was loved by me and not judged in any way. I encouraged her to give others, including me, the same latitude and grace. We are all just imperfect people trying to figure it out.
“For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.”
I’m Really Proud of Caden
I’m really proud of Caden. He was recently accepted early to Vanderbilt University, which is one of the best schools in the country and extremely competitive to get into. But it was not an easy feat for him. I think that what I’m most proud of is his perseverance.
One component of admissions is the standardized test score. Although colleges do not rely solely on that to make a decision, it is one of the factors that contribute to their holistic understanding of the candidate. Caden and Alexa both took the SAT three times. Not because I asked them to but because they wanted to. The first one was kind of a test run, and then they sat for a second time. Both received scores in their second sitting that would have gotten them into most of the competitive schools in the country. They were respectable scores that anyone would have been extremely happy with, but they did not rest on their laurels. Both of them independently decided to take the test a third time. That meant sitting in October and having to study all summer. They divided up their summer between studying, family vacations, and college courses, Caden specifically attended Vanderbilt University for two weeks. Both of them got their highest score on their third attempt.
I genuinely believe that it was that perseverance that sealed their fate for them. Alexa received many acceptances including scholarships to both Berkeley and UCLA. Caden received an early decision from Vanderbilt and scholarships to be determined. I think the moral of the story is that nothing is easy and anything that’s worth trying for requires work and effort.
Caden has also taken more APs his senior year than his junior or sophomore year. He did not fall prey to the notorious Senior Slump. He had a very robust but focused resume. Sure there were times when I had to push him across the finish line, but at the end of the day, he put the work in and proved to himself a life lesson that he will carry forever.
“Work as hard as you can on at least one thing and see what happens.” - Jordan Peterson
The Grand Championship
SO PROUD OF COLTON!!! Today he competed in the Texas Tough Sport Karate Championship and won 1st place in Creative Kata (attached), Traditional Kata, and the Pinnacle of the day- The Grand Championship!! The reason that’s so important is that he had to compete against all the 1st place competitors between 10-13 years old, including the advanced brown and red belts. He competed against some amazingly talented kids but came out on top!! This was a very different result than his last tournament, where, for the first time, he didn’t place 1st. In one event he even placed 4th. He had never won the Grand Championship against the upper belts until today.
The reason it’s so important, is he didn’t give up. He didn’t allow his last performance to define his future, to steal his passion for the sport. He (we) dug in and worked hard to improve, adding skills that he never performed previously, including a back handspring. We had many late nights, as he always wanted to wait for me to get home to practice. We had many discussions about achieving your goals. He doubled his practice time with his karate instructor, multiple-time world champion, Bear Loebe of #sportkarateamerica, and tumbling coach, world-class gymnast, Javier Sandoval at #Sandovalgymnastics. Special thanks to them for their dedication and patience in training Colton!! They are outstanding people and instructors.
We push our kids to excel, to push themselves, and to attain excellence. It isn’t an easy road to pave. Sometimes it’s lonely. It’s always hard. But so is everything worth attaining. The struggle to improve will continue. I am so proud of his determination, dedication, and passion. His hard work paid off. Hard work usually does, even in the absence of victory. Today was a good day. Thank you to God and to our friends who came to support him today, Mr. Batson, Uncle Scotty, Aunt Tammy, Uncle Rod, Auntie Christina, Trace, Zhuri, Ashley, and Reign.
Love to you all. Keep striving for excellence!
National Sons & Daughters Day
So I am a little bit late on the National Daughters Day and National Sons Day post because… well, it’s been a crazy week.
But I didn’t want too much time to go by without saying how incredibly proud I am of these kids.
⭐️Starting with Ava, who lights up any room that she’s in, and is always super positive and always has something nice to say about everyone. Her dimples are truly the eighth wonder of the world. She’s exceptionally good in math but loves writing the most!
⭐️Colton is my creative, karate kid. He reminds me so much of his older sister and his dad. Not only does he look like Steve, but he is also tender-hearted and very generous. He’s always been fascinated with people and history, just like his grandfather. Colton is the most “curious” child and always has the most insightful questions.
⭐️What can I say about Caden that isn’t already obvious. He looks the most like me and he acts the most like me. I feel sorry for him because this teenage boy can’t really get away with anything! I’ve done everything that he thinks about doing and I know every step he’s about to make before he makes it. Lol. It’s like we’re the same brain. I love his business sense and I see so much potential in him, not because he’s the most like me, but because he has his dad‘s influence on top of that.
⭐️And last, but certainly not least, Alexa. Alexa is the hardest working person in the room on any given day. She’s a perfectionist. She has gotten that from her father: a strong work ethic, a strong moral compass and it doesn’t hurt that she’s innately intelligent and easy to look at (I will steal credit there 😜). Alexa never rests on her laurels and she always underestimates the power of being beautiful with a brain. She may not win the sprint but this girl is a distance runner and she’s going to outpace the competition over time. Consistency is what she is made of.
Happy Sons and Daughters Day! I love you guys… I’m so proud of all of you.
💗,
Mom
This Made Me Tear Up
I got this note from Colt’s teacher. It made me tear up. I truly believe there are no bad students, just bad teachers. Teachers should inspire you to learn and find ways to pique your curiosity. This was by far Colton’s favorite teacher and geography was never a subject he was interested in before so that says a lot.
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Modern World Geography (Cyr, Colton) - 04/26/2022
Colt scored a 100% on his final!! I just KNEW that he would! He applied the five themes of geography accurately given examples and definitions, and this will set him up well when he takes Cultural Geography as a freshman. I can't believe we are at the end, and that I won't see Colt for so long! I told him that I probably wouldn't recognize him when he comes back in the fall, and I made him promise not to scare me when he comes back like Vin Diesel! I hope you all have a wonderful break! Please take pictures of any trips you take. After his exam was done, Colt and I talked about ziplining and climbing adventures! I showed him pictures of the time I went ziplining in a cave (Mammoth Caves, Kentucky area; it's called Mega Caverns). I hope you all have lots of fun family adventures that I can ask him about when he returns. Happy vacation!! Colt has been an amazing student, and even if he's not on my schedule for the fall, I am still his lead teacher, so I'll be checking in on him and his progress. If you need anything over the break, please email me! I'll be teaching all summer, so if you're in a destination and you want some enrichment exercises for Colton, I'd be happy to oblige. He's so smart and inquisitive, though, that I doubt you'll need any assistance finding something he loves. He seems to be able to find passion in just about anything. What an amazing son you have!
The Passion of the Christ
So, this past Sunday we celebrated Easter and I did not post anything on social media. I was trying to make a conscientious effort to stay off my phone for the day. I spent the day with my family and some close friends talking and enjoying each other‘s company, but we took a couple of hours to watch a movie, The Passion of the Christ. I’m always amazed every time I see this movie by how well produced it is, and how I am also able to glean something different each time, probably based on where I am in my life when I’m watching it.
I never really understood why Pontius Pilate was such a disliked character in history. After all, he was not the one that wanted Jesus to be crucified. On the contrary, it seemed as though Pontius Pilate, through the urging of his wife, actually wanted Jesus to be released. He openly stated that he did not see any wrongdoing in Him.
However, I had an epiphany Sunday as I was watching the movie. The reason he was complicit in Jesus‘ death was because he had the power to stand up and stop what was happening, but chose to do nothing and wash his hands of the situation. He chose to turn his back and let an innocent man be put to death for political reasons, as he clearly states in the movie. He cared more about his own “self-preservation” than doing what was right. He stated that he “does not have this innocent man’s blood on his hands,” but he did.
He is guilty because by not standing up for what was right when he was in the position to do so made him an accomplice.
I took this moment as an opportunity to tell my sons that when they see something being done to someone else that is wrong and they don’t say anything because they feel like it is “none of their business” or because they think it has nothing to do with them, they are wrong. Especially if they are in a position of power or if they are in the position to help. I understand if you’re not, this is difficult, but if you are and you don’t, that IS an issue.
Anyway, it was a really good movie. I hear that there is a second part coming called The Resurrection.
Firstborn Challenge
So apparently there’s a firstborn challenge going around so I thought that I would participate.
Per my usual, I’m going to be brutally honest here.
As many of you know, Alexa is my firstborn and in a lot of ways I would love to take complete credit for her, but I really can’t. Alexa was born with an innate sense of kindness and a sweet disposition that I can only credit to her creator. She is remarkably driven and, in my eyes, equally beautiful. She taught me how to be a mom and, trust me, that was not an easy task because I had zero experience. I don’t think I ever even babysat, save maybe one failed attempt.
I had to learn a lot of things and I made a lot of mistakes with Alexa. I don’t think that she would be quite as anxious as she is now had I been a little bit more relaxed as a mother. So many things that I look back on now that I did with Alexa that I don’t do with my third and fourth child. I thought I could take on a practical, pragmatic approach to the politics of the PTA moms, that being nice was good enough, that was a huge mistake. These moms are professional Bureaucrats and there are rules and there are hierarchies… And you better not buck the system.
Trust me being the CEO of a company does not prepare you for the PTA moms on the playground. And they will make sure you know it. Nothing against the PTA, it’s really more the helicopter moms that run it. It can be a dangerous territory fraught with political maneuvering and nepotism.
A lot of these multi-layered relationships play out in their children, making a complicated situation even worse when they arise. I’ve learned that it’s best to let your kids work out their problems on their own, navigate their own experience and provide the support they need before and after school. At the end of the day, if it gets too bad you can always move them. The philosophy that having them “tough it out” with the bullies prepares them for the real world is bullshit because there’s nothing in the real world that I’ve seen that resembles middle and high school in my opinion. If anything, I find that a lot of people in the real world are trying to “get over” their high school experience.
By the time I got to Caden, he feared telling me anything because he was afraid that I would march across the playground and knock on the principal's door asking why they are not “condemning this behavior” lol. Yes, I was “that” mom trying to deal with “those” moms. Sorry honey.
So, I’ve learned a lot, thank God I didn’t ruin this child. She turned out…well… as you can see, amazing despite me. Kids are resilient even though their parents can be a bit crazy.🤣
It Was a Bad Time
I’m not good at being vulnerable so here goes…
The saddest thing about this picture, which was taken four years ago on a kayak, is that it was as happy as I could look. I tried… I really did, but I couldn’t muster up a smile. I don’t want to say I was depressed, but I was definitely stressed. It was a bad time. I could barely sleep.
I sleep so deeply and soundly for the first time in 4 years now. I don’t know if my lack of sleep was insomnia from getting older and the melatonin naturally leaving my body or if it was the stress that I was under subconsciously tormenting me in my dreams. Maybe it was the wine I drank before I went to bed every night to numb the stress and concern, I had for my family.
Stress is a funny thing; it affects you in ways you don’t even realize. I had chronic back problems, chronic headaches, my body felt like it was 90 years old. The weight of my life was a lot to carry. I’ve been blessed in many ways, but in some ways, I felt that I carried a curse. But I wanted it all to come after me and spare my children and my family. I was willing to endure anything, “come for ME,” I thought often. I’d rather the devil come for me, give his best shot and leave my family at peace… that’s how I felt. That’s the truth... I’m a fighter. At least the Devil knows I’m not an easy target anymore.
I do breathe differently now but even though the circumstances have changed, it’s difficult to learn to not worry. It is not like things change and then you mentally change overnight; it’s a process and I think that I’m still going through that process. Kinda like PTSD to a certain extent. You’re out of the war, but the effects of it still weigh on you and affect you and your everyday life.
Although the stress in our lives has gotten exponentially better, to appreciate that will take a little bit of retraining.
I’m so used to fighting I don’t know how to “not” fight. You’ll have to read the book if you want to know what I’m talking about… not being melodramatic, but it’s just way too much for a single post.
#CutthroatBook #Cutthroat #ComingSoon
50 Lessons for 50 Years ❤️
Tomorrow I turn 50 and I realize I have more years behind me than I have in front of me. 🙏These are some life lessons I’ve learned, some I borrowed from other people and some I figured out my own, but these are the ones that have stood out to me over the years… the ones I try my best to remember every day and have made the biggest impact on me:
1️⃣ Sometimes it’s better to be kind than to be right. This is a hard one but I’ve learned that losing a relationship you care about is not worth making your point.
2️⃣ The greatest lessons I’ve ever learned in life were taught by Jesus Christ. Whether or not you are a believer is irrelevant, HIS lessons are life-changing.
3️⃣ Your life partner is the most important choice you will ever make, choose wisely. I would not be where I am today had I not made the wise decision to marry Steven.
4️⃣ Raise your kids well now so you don’t have to raise them later. Better to raise them while they are children so you are not taking care of them while they are adults.
5️⃣ It’s better to be alone than in bad company. Better to enjoy the peacefulness of your own company than share it with someone who ruins it.
6️⃣ Keep your network wide but your circle tight. Networking is important in so many aspects of life but that doesn’t mean you allow everyone close to you. This was a big lesson for me.
7️⃣ Love the people that love you. Look around and notice the people who truly make an effort to be in and stay in your life. Those who truly love and want what’s best for you. Take care of them.
8️⃣ Not everybody deserves your time, energy, or attention. Don’t waste your time explaining, pining, or figuring out people that don’t make sense to you. In the end, you may just realize that what you figured out was not worth the effort or time.
9️⃣ Some things are not that deep, relax. Everything doesn't have to be analyzed or dissected. As they say, paralysis through analysis.
1️⃣0️⃣ Sometimes the best response is no response. See #8. Not worth the effort.
1️⃣1️⃣ It’s better to believe in something than to believe in nothing. In other words, stand for something or fall for anything.
1️⃣2️⃣ The most well-intentioned advice you will ever receive will usually come from your parents. Your parents typically only want what’s best for you with no ulterior motives. They may not give the best advice, but it’s likely the most well-intentioned and in your best interest.
1️⃣3️⃣ Start with yes, you can always change your mind. Once you close the door with no, it’s closed.
1️⃣4️⃣ You can always find something nice to say about someone, you can always find something not so nice to say about someone, choose the first option. No one is perfect. Try to find the positive. Hopefully, they do the same.
1️⃣5️⃣ I already have everything I need. After our house fire, there was very little I grabbed. There was not very much I really wanted that badly except my family… and my contact lenses.
1️⃣6️⃣ Don't give things more power than they deserve. This one is hard to explain but using gossip as an example, when you repeat gossip you give it more power than it deserves and it’s unhealthy, not to mention a waste of time. Another example, someone told me that our triangle logo for CYRx MD was a sign of pedophilia. I’m pretty sure that depraved population doesn’t have jurisdiction over the shape, unless you want to give them that. So dumb. Don’t breathe life into nonsense. Don’t empower stupidity.
1️⃣7️⃣ Do not seek to be successful, seek to be purposeful, success will come. Find purpose in your work. Enjoy it. Success will follow.
1️⃣8️⃣ The best thing I can do for myself daily is to be productive - an idle mind is the devil’s playground. Stay busy, have goals, keep your mind productive. The time is going to pass regardless, you may as well use it well.
1️⃣9️⃣ Finding your purpose in life is key to leading a self-satisfying life. In other words, figure out what your gifts are and use your gifts to help others
2️⃣0️⃣ Don’t rob someone of a blessing. Allow people to bless you. It will probably mean more to them than it does to you. Just say thank you and pay it forward.
2️⃣1️⃣ The closer you can bridge the gap between who you are and who you want to be, the stronger your self-esteem will be. Psychology 101.
2️⃣2️⃣ Don’t make other people’s issues your issues. People have issues, but "you" don’t have to own their issues.
2️⃣3️⃣ A lot of times, it has nothing to do with you, don’t take it personally. You never know what battles someone is dealing with privately.
2️⃣4️⃣ When people show you who they are, believe them. Pay attention to people’s character, not necessarily their behavior. Although the two should be consistent, it’s the inconsistencies that are telling.
2️⃣5️⃣ Being alone does not mean you are lonely. Value your own company or how do you expect anyone else to?
2️⃣6️⃣ Learn to be comfortable in your own skin. Embrace your uniqueness and idiosyncrasies. Those are the things that make you who you are. I’ve always strayed away from the crowd. I’ve always felt if I were doing what everyone else was, I would end up like everyone else.
2️⃣7️⃣ The best way to teach your faith is to live it. I once heard a speaker say, if people can’t see Jesus in you why would they want to know Him?
2️⃣8️⃣ You will never argue anyone into believing in what you believe in. I have yet to have an argument that ended with “you’re right, I change my mind” (unless it was my husband trying to placate me). Arguing typically just polarizes people, it does not convince them.
2️⃣9️⃣ People will treat you how you allow them to treat you. People can’t treat you poorly if you don’t stick around after the first time.
3️⃣0️⃣ Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone to compliment you. Relationships should enhance your life but you have to be a complete person independent of them too. It’s no one's job to complete you.
3️⃣1️⃣ Love is a noun and an action verb. It requires action, not just words.
3️⃣2️⃣ Yes, people are always saying that happiness is a choice and you can choose to be happy. Yes, it is and so is faithfulness, loyalty, and fidelity. The difference is happiness is about you and the other words are how you engage with others. I’ve been married for 22 years. We choose to be faithful and loyal to each other. If we choose only to do what made us happy individually, maybe it wouldn’t have lasted this long. Yes, choose happiness but not at the expense of others.
3️⃣3️⃣ Other people’s success does not take away from my own.
3️⃣4️⃣ The secret to success is to not give up. Fall down seven times, get up eight.
3️⃣5️⃣ Forgiveness is for yourself, not necessarily the other person. It’s about freeing you from the weight of anger. Forgiveness does not mean you enter into a relationship again, simply that you don’t hold a grudge that can be toxic for you.
3️⃣6️⃣ Friendship should positively enhance your life, not burden it. If you are constantly weighed down by feelings of negativity about a relationship, it’s probably time to move on.
3️⃣7️⃣ Hurt people, hurt people. It’s hard to feel compassion for people that hurt you, but chances are they were hurt too. It’s not an excuse, but it is a reason.
3️⃣8️⃣ There’s a difference between being human and a human being. I’m pretty sure Steve Jobs wrote this. I love it.
3️⃣9️⃣ Everyone you meet has something they can teach you. This is so true. Even if you’re learning what not to do from them.
4️⃣0️⃣ You don’t always have to be center stage, sometimes you are just playing a part in another person’s story.
4️⃣1️⃣ If you don’t ask the question the answer will always be no. You have to at least try. You just never know.
4️⃣2️⃣ You can’t listen and talk at the same time.
4️⃣3️⃣ It’s hard to be a true friend to anyone when you are trying to be a friend to everyone.
4️⃣4️⃣ You will never regret having more children. There truly is no greater joy.
4️⃣5️⃣ Try to find the reason or lesson in everything that happens, good or bad.
4️⃣6️⃣ When you spend quality time with a friend, the goal should be that they feel better leaving that interaction than when they came.
4️⃣7️⃣ Whether you get paid or not, education is never a waste of time. You may not feel like you’re “using” your education but you ARE using your education and it will be evident, or not, every time you open your mouth.
4️⃣8️⃣ Be your spouses’ biggest cheerleader. From the time we were first married we agreed to support each other and never tear each other down. If we argue, we stick to the issues and avoid insults at all costs.
4️⃣9️⃣ Tell your kids the truth about the world - better they hear it from you. We don’t sugarcoat things. If you don’t teach them, someone else will.
5️⃣0️⃣ The world is full of good people, if you can’t find one, be one. Amen. It all starts with you. ❤️ This one is from Mother Teresa. 🙏
Cheers 🥂
