While a great deal has changed for everyone in recent weeks, the most important things in this world will never change. And it seems that all of them I can trace back to the lessons that my parents work so long and hard to teach me:
Treat people the way that you want to be treated.
A little kindness goes a long way.
Don’t judge others. You have no idea what burden they are carrying or the challenges they are facing.
Do what’s right even when no one is watching.
If you are worried that what you are doing is wrong, you don’t need to ask me, you already know the answer.
Go wash your hands, and use plenty of soap this time!
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for all of the patience and wisdom that you shared with me over the years.
Please share some of your parent’s wisdom in the comments in their honor and to help guide us all through this challenging time.
Oh my, Kathy, once I started writing them down, I couldn’t stop. So many “common sense” messages I heard years ago that continue to guide me today more than 70 years later. I smile as I read through them once again before sending. They are a combination of messages from both my father and mother—who lived through WWI, The Great Depression, and WWII—taught us by their example and that are all still relevant today.
I don’t want excuses, I want results.
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Service above self.
Don’t do anything you don’t want to read about the next day on the front page of the Worthington News (your local newspaper).
Don’t go looking for trouble.
Don’t follow the crowd.
Let your conscience be your guide.
Always tell the truth.
Treat others as you want to be treated.
Follow through on promises made.
Don’t do as I do, do as I say.
Read.
Keep your shoes polished, your face washed and your hair combed.
Stand up straight.
Anything worth having is worth working for.
Respect your parents.
Be kind to each other.
Walk away from arguments and those who engage in them.
Respect yourself; respect others.
You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.
Be responsible.
Don’t be wasteful.
Take care of what you have and you’ll never be poor.
Be trustworthy.
Know how to keep a secret.
Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut.
Look ahead in all things.
Be considerate of other people.
Give back to your community.
Develop a sense of values and live by them.
Choose your friends wisely.
Stay engaged with life, no matter your age.
Just because everyone else is doing something doesn’t make it right.
If you want to grow your business, how you treat your customer after the sale is what creates trustworthy and lasting relationships.
All that you do, do with your might, things done by halves are never done right.
Oh, Pam! Once again you have made me smile as I stroll down memory lane- our in our case, High Street. I had not thought of the Worthington News in forever. But I heard that same warning from my parents so many times. Mother and Father Harman shared many of the same jewels with you that I hear from my parents. The times that they lived through taught them so much about life, survival, and what to hold dear when everything was slipping away. Thank you again for sharing and reminding me of those priceless years growing up in Worthington!
Sound principles to live by, Kathy. My mother always told me to never take anything from a stranger, never to go barefoot outside (I did only once and cut my foot on a piece of glass), to wash my hands after being downtown and on a bus, to save my money and spend it wisely. I don’t remember much else right now, but I do know that I had to learn a lot of things on my own after I left my parents’ home.
Bbbeeeaaauuutttiiifffuuulll piece and from a wonderful mother. My mother taught me to give to others all the good things I want for myself, even if I don’t get it back. I learn from her that it always pays better and more to be good. Through her actions, choice, and decisions, I also learn how to survive the odds. And I learn love and hatred from her. Yes, I did. I like love better though.