Yesterday I was repotting a plant I’d just bought. I gently
massaged the roots before I put them in the dirt. The thought flickered through
my mind that I wasn’t sure who had first told me to do this. I thought about
all the things I knew how to do and where I had learned them. The practical living things. And that led me to advice.
Advice comes from so many sources, people we love, people we
hate, strangers, advertisers. Do this. Don’t do that. Buy this. Avoid that. We’re
bombarded. And, I am willing to admit, I’ve given my fair share as well, both
solicited and unsolicited.
I had a friend who lost her mother. She said the thing she
missed most was picking up the phone and asking for advice. Her mother just
seemed to know so much about so many things. My mother and I are very close. I
hope we have many years left, but I know I will bitterly miss her when the time
comes to say goodbye. And one of the reasons is her no nonsense advice and her
exhaustive realm of knowledge. How do I get this stain out? What do you think I
should plant in that corner of the yard? The purple shirt or the burgundy one?
When I started teaching my
mentor gave me the best teaching advice I ever received. “Say yes whenever you
can, but mean it when you say no.” That’s good advice for any area of life.
Sometimes good advice comes from complete strangers. Here’s
a sampling of some words of wisdom that have helped me.
Don’t overstay your welcome:
“Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” Benjamin Franklin
Be who you really are:
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde
And the most important advice of all:
“Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.” – Cowboy Proverb.
Have you ever gotten some great advice?
Spectacularly poor advice? Given some? Leave a comment below.
I have, now that you mention it. And, I TRY to follow the good advice when I can.
ReplyDeleteI love that about you, Caroline.
DeleteNice post. My favorite advice was a saying/slogan that a state administrator told us years ago when she came to monitor our adult career program: "Never Let Anyone Steal Your Joy." It's a mantra and slogan I've lived by since then.
ReplyDeleteI love that slogan. It's so true. Thanks for commenting, Judy Ann Davis.
DeleteA touching post, Bea. I guess the advice I emphasized most often with the kids was: Never make an important decision when you're emotionally overwrought.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan Reeves. Yes, that is very good advice indeed.
ReplyDeleteDon't defy the laws of physics
ReplyDelete(My mom talking about using my instant pot)
My mom Jacquie Rogers
Love it all, but will definitely keep this one at the fore. Thanks so much! “Say yes whenever you can, but mean it when you say no.”
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Bea. Wise words of advice all the way around. We never know where the road of life we choose will lead. I'm glad it worked out for you.
ReplyDelete