Recently I read a lovely post about what a mom wanted to leave with her children - life lessons, insights and wisdom. It hit a chord in my belly and I wondered what my list would be, what would be important? What legacy would I want to leave with them that had lasting value? There are so many things that I could teach them, so many insignificant things, busy things, work things- but there are values and lessons in life that I think are important for them to carry forward into adulthood and every day living. Here's my list. Seems like 40 is on my mind. It must be because my birthday is coming up soon. In fact in 15 days 23 hours and 20 minutes. Whose counting?
1. Enjoy the rain - it brings life.
2. Go outside when the sun shines, you never know when it will rain.
3. Don't plan too much for the next moment but enjoy the one you're in.
4. Treasure your siblings - they are your best friends and know you as you are.
5. Love the Lord first and foremost.
6. The biggest decision you make for life is to serve the Lord
7. The second biggest decision you make will be who your spouse will be - choose carefully.
8. The less clothes a girl has on, the less likely she's the one for you.
9. Choose your battles - don't fight for the small things but fight for the things that count.
10. Listen to your conscience - it's normally right.
11. When one of your siblings says - Mom and Dad won't find out - don't believe a word, parents have special radars that pick up all sorts of behaviour, even when you're an adult.
12. Don't choose a career until you have spent some time getting some life experience, then choose. Some of those experiences will show you what to do and what you don't want to do.
13. Travel everywhere, even when you have children - always go on trips of discovery in a new town, a new country, or a new street.
14. Delight yourself in the small pleasures - a chocolate milkshake, the sight of a whale breaching, running on a beach - don't only wait for big events otherwise you might wait forever.
15. Treasure memory moments more than things.
16. Live debt free, offers of credit are just ways of trying to persuade you to be enslaved.
17. Look for a car with boot space, if you don't you will have to buy a trailer or sit with your luggage on your lap.
18. Don't be afraid to try new things, meet new people, see new places - life is an adventure
19. Don't swim in the sea if you have a cut - there is always a shark out there looking for it's next meal. (OK might be a bit extreme but living in False Bay which has the largest prevalence of great white sharks in the world, this is a very relevant one)
20. There are people who will try and bully you, even when you are an adult - walk away. Don't even entertain them, just walk away. They are not worth doing business with (even if they have lots of money) and they are definitely not people you want to be friends with.
21. Ask lots of questions before you sign anything - especially the small print. And have someone else check just in case you missed something - preferably your grandfather who is a lawyer and has your best interests at heart.
22. Don't believe everything you read, see or hear - listen with discernment and always ask lots of questions.
23. You are precious.
24. I love you and I will always love you and I will never stop loving you.
25. The day you were born was a day I will never forget and Ruthie, the day you landed in my arms, I knew you were the one!
26. Things don't change until you are prepared to change.
27. Always consider carefully what your spouse has to say - they will give you a perspective which could make a difference to your destiny.
28. Don't break the rules just because everybody else is, let that be a reflection of their character not yours.
29. Nothing is as it appears, always take the time to get to know someone before you decide on who they are.
30. Children are a blessing from the Lord, enjoy every moment of it, they are special moments.
31. Holding hands with a girl can lead to trouble, put your hands in your pockets and talk instead.
32. Take time every day to see the good things around you otherwise you will forget and become bitter and twisted.
33. Don't allow television, computers, smart phones or any technology to take over your life, remember people are more important than even the most exciting technology
34. Drink water all day, don't replace it with tea or coffee, juice or hot chocolate - your body needs it more than you think.
35. Don't watch any movies with an S or N rating - they will ensnare you, choose carefully what you watch and what you read.
36. Don't give up, try again, try from a different angle - ask someone for perspective - some of the greatest inventions have been because people found the solution to a problem and it didn't happen the first time.
37. Sleep on any big decision, conversation or conflict. Off the cuff responses can be fatal.
38. Build good relationships with your neighbours where ever you are.
39. Stay close to God and his people. Don't be drawn away from the church. They might offend you, let you down or just irritate you but they are family.
40. Love people of every culture, language and tribe - they all belong to God and are precious in his sight, even if others would tell you otherwise.
2. Go outside when the sun shines, you never know when it will rain.
3. Don't plan too much for the next moment but enjoy the one you're in.
4. Treasure your siblings - they are your best friends and know you as you are.
5. Love the Lord first and foremost.
6. The biggest decision you make for life is to serve the Lord
7. The second biggest decision you make will be who your spouse will be - choose carefully.
8. The less clothes a girl has on, the less likely she's the one for you.
9. Choose your battles - don't fight for the small things but fight for the things that count.
10. Listen to your conscience - it's normally right.
11. When one of your siblings says - Mom and Dad won't find out - don't believe a word, parents have special radars that pick up all sorts of behaviour, even when you're an adult.
12. Don't choose a career until you have spent some time getting some life experience, then choose. Some of those experiences will show you what to do and what you don't want to do.
14. Delight yourself in the small pleasures - a chocolate milkshake, the sight of a whale breaching, running on a beach - don't only wait for big events otherwise you might wait forever.
15. Treasure memory moments more than things.
16. Live debt free, offers of credit are just ways of trying to persuade you to be enslaved.
17. Look for a car with boot space, if you don't you will have to buy a trailer or sit with your luggage on your lap.
18. Don't be afraid to try new things, meet new people, see new places - life is an adventure
20. There are people who will try and bully you, even when you are an adult - walk away. Don't even entertain them, just walk away. They are not worth doing business with (even if they have lots of money) and they are definitely not people you want to be friends with.
21. Ask lots of questions before you sign anything - especially the small print. And have someone else check just in case you missed something - preferably your grandfather who is a lawyer and has your best interests at heart.
22. Don't believe everything you read, see or hear - listen with discernment and always ask lots of questions.
24. I love you and I will always love you and I will never stop loving you.
25. The day you were born was a day I will never forget and Ruthie, the day you landed in my arms, I knew you were the one!
26. Things don't change until you are prepared to change.
27. Always consider carefully what your spouse has to say - they will give you a perspective which could make a difference to your destiny.
28. Don't break the rules just because everybody else is, let that be a reflection of their character not yours.
29. Nothing is as it appears, always take the time to get to know someone before you decide on who they are.
30. Children are a blessing from the Lord, enjoy every moment of it, they are special moments.
31. Holding hands with a girl can lead to trouble, put your hands in your pockets and talk instead.
32. Take time every day to see the good things around you otherwise you will forget and become bitter and twisted.
33. Don't allow television, computers, smart phones or any technology to take over your life, remember people are more important than even the most exciting technology
34. Drink water all day, don't replace it with tea or coffee, juice or hot chocolate - your body needs it more than you think.
35. Don't watch any movies with an S or N rating - they will ensnare you, choose carefully what you watch and what you read.
36. Don't give up, try again, try from a different angle - ask someone for perspective - some of the greatest inventions have been because people found the solution to a problem and it didn't happen the first time.
38. Build good relationships with your neighbours where ever you are.
39. Stay close to God and his people. Don't be drawn away from the church. They might offend you, let you down or just irritate you but they are family.
40. Love people of every culture, language and tribe - they all belong to God and are precious in his sight, even if others would tell you otherwise.
What would you add to your list? I would love to know.
Linking up with Teach me Tuesdays, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home,
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nice post thanks for sharing..found you thrue other bloggers hope visiting more..blessings
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit.. and the blessings;))
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