A Look Back At The Wisdom Of My Grandparents
I don’t know about you, but I loved hearing stories from my grandparents. They can be so captivating that you forget the milkshake you are drinking isnt worth the $4 price you paid for it. You've probably heard about the top people like Steve Jobs or Warren Buffett that say their success is the result of learning lessons from everyone they meet in life.
Introduction
I've always been a bit of a dreamer. I'm sure it's partially because I grew up listening to the wisdom of my grandparents. They're both gone now, but their words live on in my heart and mind. Here are some of my favorite things they taught me:
Be nice to people.
My grandparents were very good at being nice to people. They were always friendly, courteous and polite.
They believed that being nice to others was not just the right thing to do--it also paid off in the long run. And they knew from experience: they had been through hard times during the Great Depression when food was scarce and wartime rationing meant that there wasn't much for anyone except those who grew their own food or bartered for it with others who did have enough produce on hand (like my grandfather).
Be grateful.
"Be grateful." This is one of my grandmother's favorite sayings, and it's one I've adopted as well. Being grateful doesn't just mean being thankful for what you have; it also means appreciating the people around you, what they do for you and how they make your life better.
My grandparents came from a family of dairy and tobacco farming. They had nothing growing up but the essentials in life. When my grandfather was 17, he caught the milk truck and headed off to the USAF where he spend the next 26 years. They worked hard to give their children more than they had growing up--which included opportunities for education and travel (both were things that weren't possible during wartime). Even though my grandparents have passed, their legacy lives on. They taught me how important it is to appreciate all we have been given by others' hard work before us--and how much joy comes from sharing those blessings with others who may not have them yet!
You can't change other people.
One of my favorite sayings is "You can't change people." It's true, and it's something I learned from Doyle.He's a man who has seen the world and has learned there are some things in life you can't change. He also knows that there are some things that need to be changed, but only with the right tools and motivation. He taught me to respect everyone regardless of their background or status because everyone has something valuable to offer.. They were very wise in their ways and knew that if someone was unhappy with themselves or their life, no amount of nagging or scolding would change them.
I've always been an advocate for positive thinking and focusing on the good things in life--but sometimes it takes more than just positive thoughts to get through difficult situations. If someone is going through a rough time, they need help from others who understand what they're going through (and maybe even have experienced it themselves)
Doyle lived by "Get to bed early, wake up early and splash water on your face,”
Sleep is a powerful and necessary part of life. It's not just about feeling rested; sleep helps your immune system, productivity, appearance and more.
The benefits of getting enough sleep are numerous:
Sleep helps regulate your body's temperature and hormone levels. When you're tired, your body produces more cortisol (a stress hormone) than usual which can lead to weight gain, acne breakouts and inability to focus on tasks at hand. The best way to combat this is by getting adequate rest each night!
A lack of sleep also affects our mental health; studies have shown that those who don't get enough shut-eye may be at an increased risk for depression or anxiety disorders compared with their well-rested counterparts.[1]
There's a lot of wisdom in our grandparents, and we should listen to it before it's gone for good.
Listening to your grandparents is important. You shouldn't assume that they are wrong, and you should be open to learning from them. Ask questions, disagree if necessary--but don't be afraid of either. Grandparents can be the best source of wisdom, but they are also going away. We have to make sure we listen to them before it's too late. I'm glad that I did!