The wisdom of grandmothers

There is something special about grandmothers. I had a strong relationship with my mother’s mother, my Grandmother. She was always there for me, whenever I needed her. She loved me unconditionally and I loved her back the same.

 These matriarchs have backbones of steel with the gentleness of a dove. They have a knack for fun and imparting words of wisdom that last a lifetime. 

I can think back to many conversations, I had with my Grandmother and to this day, I use her wisdom that she lovingly shared with me.

My Grandmother has been gone for quite sometime now, but never to be forgotten and always in my heart.

 Here are some life lessons that your Grandmother might have passed on to you:

“Grandmothers and roses are much the same. Each is a God’s masterpiece with different names.”  –  Unknown

1. Stay Tidy and Organized

Keeping your home clean, tidy and organized is timeless advice. A devotion to cleanliness isn’t just about surprise guests popping in, there are many benefits to an organized household. These benefits include less stress, more motivation and productivity.

2. Be On Time

Show others you respect their time by arriving on time, or even a little bit early. Besides being polite, it also allows you to pull yourself together and be ready for the meeting, appointment, or visit.

3. Treat Others as They Want to Be Treated

Be flexible in your approach with people. Different people might require a slightly different approach. They will appreciate the effort, and you will sharpen your people skills.

4. Love Yourself

Everyone has their struggles, but never forget to love yourself. Treat yourself like you would treat a loved one. Skip the negative self-talk and forget trying to be someone else. You are your own person, and that person is pretty special!

“As I learned from growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother.”  –  Prince William

5. Bad Times Will Come – And They Will Pass

Nothing lasts forever, even the bad times in life. Acknowledge that you will face hard times, but they will not last. Take time to lick your wounds, but eventually you will need to put your chin up and move forward.  

6. Good Manners Don’t Cost You a Dime

Using good manners doesn’t cost anything and brings harmony to your relationships. Remember to say “Please” and “Thank You” and, in general, be considerate of those around you.

7. Stay Firm in Your Convictions

While you should strive to be pleasant and polite, that doesn’t mean that you let people walk all over you. Stay firm to your convictions. Don’t let people make you feel like your core values and beliefs are wrong.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail

Lessons are found in your perceived failures. If you succeed at everything, you risk learning nothing. So go out and fail at something, learn the lesson, and become a better person. You will be more apt to reach your goals, too.  

9. Family (And Friends) First

Make family and friends a priority. A strong social circle gives you a firm foundation for success. In bad times, and good, these are the people you will turn to. Make sure to foster powerful relationships, by ‘giving’ as much as you ‘take’.

Julie Fairhurst, Founder of Women Like Me, Story Coach

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