As a college student who just moved in to her first house with two roommates, and who moved out of her parents’ house, I began to reminisce about everything I’ve learned from my parents. It came about when I thought of the different ways people around me interact: with other students, their fellow co-workers, and even with their own parents. Then, I thought of how grateful I am to have the mom and dad I do in order to be where I am today.
Don’t take shit from anyone. This is one of the top irrevocable truths I’ve learned in the past 21 years from my parents. Now, there are times when we all need to be put in our respective places, but there is never a time, and there will never be a time, when we should sit back while people treat us as less than the whole of our worth. We should always go after what we want, while also understanding the well-respected results of treating others how we wish to be treated. Knowing our worth and being kind to others will take us leaps further than those who sit back and accept being treated as lesser people. Be kind to others. We never know the types of days people may be having, and because of this, it always pays off to be kind to those around us. We should hold doors open for strangers, smile at people walking by, and use general courteous manners when we’re in public. Work smarter not harder. Hard work understands hard work. That goes without even needing to be said. On the other hand, working smarter will not only make your work easier, but it will resolve many future problems. For example, if you are about to undergo a project, rather than simply diving headfirst into the mess, it makes more sense to get a greater understanding for what you are about to undertake. Get an overview of the project, think of where the best place to do this project would be, and so on. If you do what you love, then you will never have to work a day in your life. This has been a prominent statement in my house ever since I was a little girl who wanted to write for the rest of her life, but who also loved to analyze every situation and fought for who/what she believed in. My parents didn’t necessarily follow this mindset of doing what they love in the workplace, and they engraved it into the minds of my brother and I in order for us to truly be happy for the rest of our lives. Never take life too seriously. For as long as I can remember, I can colorfully visualize different instances in my life in which my dad and I would prank my mom and then when my mom and I would prank my dad. We constantly make fun of each other because we’re a family of hot messes. Not only did we prank each other on a daily basis, but we also pulled pranks on people in grocery stores. Side note: If you were the elderly woman who reached the cash register with a 5 pound jar of pig feet in your grocery cart about 10 years ago, thank you for making us laugh hysterically. Without these five truths taught by my wonderful parents, I don’t think I’d even be close to where I am today. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
3 Comments
Marsha Conway
8/17/2015 01:06:54 am
Enjoyed reading this blog. I especially the liked the pig foot pranking!
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Lauren Cross
8/17/2015 06:06:05 am
Thank you so much, Ms Conway!
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Rita
8/19/2015 03:39:49 am
My sweet Lauren you have a way of surprising me each time I read your blog! This is absolutely one of my favorites as I have said the same headings at one time or another! Love you and darlin keep writing and amaze this ole lady ❤️😘
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AuthorLauren is a Ball State University alumna with a Bachelor's degree in English and a concentration in Creative Writing. She enjoys breakfast for dinner with a side of literary enjoyment. Archives
December 2017
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