I recently posted this question on Facebook, and so many wonderfully enlightening comments have been added.   It was inspired by an early morning read about advice we get throughout our lives from our parents, grandparents, and mentors, and how these words of wisdom can really change the course of who we are, or our reactions and thoughts about circumstances that arise.

Living in a time of such uncertainty and angst, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to extend the invitation to all of my Facebook friends to share the best advice they recall.  As I read them all several times, some were new to me, while others were perfect reminders.  I thank everyone who contributed, and I hope you will appreciate them as much as I do.

In my own life, I am blessed with the most loving and insightful great-grandmother, three grandparents, several aunts and uncles, cousins, great friends, and amazing parents.  In more recent years, I am proud to say I even receive great advice from my own adult children.  It’s so refreshing!

HERE WE GO!

“If it won’t matter in 5 years, don’t stay mad about it for longer than 5 minutes!”

Sometimes the best response is no response… ~ Mom

Always help those in need.

Take advantage of the time you have with your kids when they’re in the backseat and you’re running them around to their activities. It’s a perfect opportunity for them to talk, so only ask them one or two questions. – Mrs. Bea McIntire

Always trust your gut instinct, it’s never wrong.

My business ends at the end of my nose…

When you say yes to someone else, you say no to yourself…

Treat people the way you like to be treated.

Take Nothing for Granted!!

Worrying about something isn’t going to change the outcome. So, don’t waste that energy on worry. See what happens and then deal with it. Don’t worry before you even know what you are being faced with!

Be kind

Roots & Wings

Live for today

Don’t worry about what other people are doing worry about what you are doing. What others are doing can mess with your focus and leave you with tons of negativity. Mom always said this.

Don’t worry about what people think of you, chances are good they are not thinking about you.

Your friends will influence you to rise to the top or sink to the bottom. Choose wisely

Mom always said, ” Don’t look for trouble or you will find it!!” ( or it might find you)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Don’t go where you are not invited

Always wear clean underwear

All relationships have seasons. Once the season comes to an end, let them go.

“Make good decisions, come home smarter” – dad

“Only date the officers in tan uniforms, not the sailors in white” – mom

When in doubt, blame it on Mom

never feel bad about saying “no” – ME

Kevin Costner in Tin Cup…learn to recognize a character defining moment when it presents itself. You can choose to let the moment define you or you can define it!

You can’t control how people treat you or what they say to you, but you are in COMPLETE control of your reaction to it!

That there are many paths to the top of a mountain!

Accept what is … let go of what was … and have faith in what will be.

You never really know what someone is dealing with in their life, so be kind, open, helpful, and if that doesn’t work out realize the way they treated you is more about them, than you

Be tolerant of others but strict with yourself.

If nothing changes, then…nothing changes!

No is a complete sentence.

My grandma said, “if you’re going to lie you better have a good memory.”

From a grandma Johnsen: “When you know which way the wind blows, you know to stand up wind!”

I don’t think of things in life you can’t control only obstacles you can overcome

If you knew in 20 years everything works out just fine… how do you want to get from here to there? In worry and stress… or in joy. I think my best advice comes from within

Acceptance doesn’t mean you have to like it…just accept what is and stop fighting it! My sanity is grateful for this every day!

We can’t change the wind, but we can adjust our sails

My father always told my brother and I “be a leader not a follower”

Bend with the wind just don’t break. From my mom

Love Always Wins

Treat others the way you want to be treated

Life is a journey with hills and valleys. Sometimes you’re up sometimes you’re down the race is long. and in the end it’s only with yourself

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.

Don’t worry about the future.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

If you don’t want something repeated, keep it to yourself. My dad

Discipline yourself before you discipline your children

“Some you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you” …

Pick your battles and don’t take everything personally

You can never take back anything you’ve written to someone. Never write to someone with a poison pen.

Never discuss politics outside the home

Before you answer anything or do anything… ask if it’s coming from a place of compassion…. or ego….

You don’t want to be friends with everyone…choose your friends carefully because it is who you are identified with…Kindness is most important and know everything in life comes through people

“Don’t worry about things you have no control over.”

“If nothing can be done by you to alter an outcome and wait to see what occurs then decide what is the best move for you and go from there.

“Always get a 2nd opinion from a Doctor when dealing with important health issues.”

His reasoning? Not all Doctors graduated the top of their class, there are many who just barely passed their classes but still got a degree.

It’s better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt

Work Smarter, Not Harder

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all

An old boss said to me, “keep your nose clean,” (stay out of people’s business).

Don’t rely on your overtime