The Time-Tested Wisdom of Mothers: Words of Wisdom from Our Mothers
The words of our mothers are often the most cherished and influential teachings we receive. From dealing with sibling conflicts to embracing life’s challenges, their guidance forms the backbone of many of our decisions and behaviors. In this article, we delve into a few of the common and not-so-common words of wisdom shared by mothers.
Leveraging Tough Love for Sibling Rivalry
My siblings and I faced our fair share of sibling rivalry. In those moments, our mother's response was always, 'I’m going to tie your tails together and throw you across the clothes line and let you duke it out! ' This might seem extreme, but at the time, it provided an avenue for us to resolve our own conflicts. In retrospect, it made me tougher, as I quickly learned to be resourceful and find ways to protect myself, whether by maneuvering to a safe position or using agility.
When challenges arose, my mother would tell me to 'clean my room,' 'fold the clothes correctly,' and even go as far as saying, 'I wish I never had you.' These often harsh or seemingly dismissive words might have seemed cruel, but they instilled a sense of maturity, responsibility, and pride in myself and my siblings.
Spread Love and Embrace Gratitude
Mothers often remind us to be grateful and to spread love to others. It is a simple yet profound message that encourages us to appreciate the love we receive and to share it with others. One of my mother's core messages is that we should always be thankful. And even if our actions may seem trivial to others, they matter to our mothers, who often remind us, 'You ruined my day most days.' These words, though harsh, taught us the value of understanding and empathy.
End of Days and Eternal Optimism
My aunts, on the other hand, often reveled in the drama of apocalyptic prophecies. They would always say, 'I believe I see all the signs that the Lord is going to end the world.' These prophesies were no stranger to our family gatherings. From the checkout counter to holiday celebrations, these prophecies were a regular topic of conversation. My aunts believed in doom and gloom, but often, it was just a way to add drama and excitement to the family banter.
One day, while waiting in the checkout line, the cashier repeated a similar apocalyptic outlook. My laughter nearly spilled over into shoplifting—luckily, I managed to rein it in. It's a testament to the enduring nature of these prophecies that they still provoke such a reaction in us, even as we scoff at their absurdity.
Clever Idiomatic Expressions
My father, a master of colorful expressions, would use idioms to convey his views bluntly. For instance, when something was deemed useless, he would say, 'It's as useless as teats on a boar pig.' He opted for 'boar pig' instead of the more common 'bull' to avoid sounding too vulgar. Similarly, he would describe someone as 'cunning as a shit house rat' instead of the more common 'cunning as a shit house rat.' The juxtaposition of high and low language in such contexts amused him and made the expressions more impactful.
And then there were the everyday expressions: 'You’re so dramatic,' 'Don’t let the bed bugs bite,' 'Why are you folding clothes wrong?' These words, though often unsolicited, were a way for my father to encourage us to be better individuals and to do things right. The phrases 'hard work and kindness go a long way' were a constant reminder to embrace diligence and empathy.
Summary
The words of our mothers may not always be what we want to hear, but they shape us in ways that are often unseen. They teach us resilience, responsibility, and the importance of gratitude. From dealing with sibling conflicts to embracing life's challenges, our mothers' words of wisdom remain a guiding light, influencing our decisions and behaviors long after we leave home. Their words, whether tender or caustic, shape us into the individuals we are today.