The Best Advice My Parents Ever Gave Me...
 

This past week I spent a few days with my son up in Minnesota. During the visit we talked about (among other things) parenting. He recalled a time that his son was in high school and he and his son were working on some project or other and he imparted some wisdom to his son that HIS dad had given him.

"Son, don't ____ it up".

It got me thinking though. All joking aside, what was the best advice my parents ever gave me? I was about 15, the age when the lads of that small rural community went to work summers for local loggers and farmers. Their advice: "No matter who you work for, always remember that you agreed to to the job for a certain wage, and no matter what other people are being paid, you always do the best job you can".

It was wisdom no doubt born of the Depression, but it has stood me in good stead throughout my life. I doubt it is something that many kids hear these days, but maybe more should.

How about others? What is the best piece of advice YOUR parents gave you?

Parents also grew up during the depression.

Advice: Save first. Spend second.

Bingo!

From my father after coming home with my first bloody nose and black eye after a right beating, and feeling very sorry for myself.
"If you are going to dish it out, you better learn to take it."

Never live paycheck to paycheck, have money in the bank

"Don't pay interest, get interest."

"It's better to ask a stupid question then to make a stupid mistake."

"To fully understand people, everyone should have their own retail business."

"Speak only when your spoken too"

"Use a firm grip when shaking someone's hand."

I was 15 years old, not taking life seriously, mostly goofing off, not applying myself at school. My father told me that he had done all he could for me and that from now on it would be up to me. By that he meant choosing whether to buckle down and make something of myself or not. It took a while but I gradually applied myself more and more to schoolwork.

Wow. Thinking about this, both my parents lead by example. But, from my mother: "Listen to others." That's why I became a newspaper reporter and then a psychologist, I guess. From my father, when I was about 7 and ran home to report that my little brother was being beaten up by a 12-year-old bully: "What are you doing here? Go back up there and help him!" LOL

"Live your life so you do not have to lie to anyone , You will as good a man as anyone you meet and better than most"

Listen more, talk less.

Learn as much as possible about anything and everything, and take pride in your work no matter what kind of work it is.

I remember my father telling me that he was not going to weigh in on what I chose to do for a living, because that is something I have to do everyday for the next many decades and it should be my choice, not his. He continued on and told me he also would not weigh in on who I chose to marry, because that was someone I would be living with everyday and it should be my choice, not his. Still, I was happy that he liked my wife and they got along great.

Both of my parents taught me that we are all loved and created by God, and he would not make any of his creations to be less than others.

My mother taught me and she truly believed that there was good in almost everyone.

On her death bed my mother told me, "Dont get old!"

Now, wait! She didn't believe I should go 6 feet under before my time. She meant to live every day to the fullest. When you are near death, the only thoughts you have are of the things you should have done. Live it up, folks! There are no second chances!

Leading by example my parents imparted a work ethic into me which we passed onto our kids.

Amen. Walking the walk is the best way to reinforce good advice.