Lean Quote: Mothers are Wise and Always Right

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." — Washington Irving

Mothers are wise and always right. We all know this from our experience. For, we have all grown up on the wisdoms and advice of our moms. Some of these advices, rather lessons remain with us forever and keep guiding us.

Odds are, you have a few gems from your mother rolling around in your head. (“Chew with your mouth closed.” “Stand up straight!” “Would it kill you to brush your hair?”)

But how can you put into words how much the woman who wiped your dirty bum, tied your shoes, and made you countless PB&Js really means to you?  Here are just some of the pearls of wisdom passed down from generation to generation that you’ll never forget.

Just Be a Good Person

• If you help someone, don’t expect anything in return, and don’t even make a reference about it.
• There is always someone taller than you, smarter than you and faster than you. Be your best you.
• Tomorrow is another day. Everything looks so much better after a good night’s sleep.
• If you can’t say something nice, think harder.
• Do something good for someone else every single day, and don’t tell anyone you did it.
• Smile — no one likes a sourpuss.

Words of Wisdom

• Always ask yourself, who’s going to remember this 100 years from now?
• There’s always a difference between need and want.
• There’s just one word to remember: moderation.
• Be safe. Be savvy. Be smart. Be shrewd. Be sure.
• This, too, shall pass.
• Don’t live in the past; you can’t change it. Focus on the future, and live in the present.
• Be on your best behavior when you’re out in public because they (whoever observed bad behavior) may not know which “Devlin” you are, but they will know who your parents are.

Empowerment

• Tell the truth. It’s easier to remember than telling a lie.
• Everyone’s got something. Don’t prejudge. Everyone has vulnerability. Some just hide it under a lot more covers than others.
• You’re more powerful than you know.
• Pick your battles in life. Not everything is worth fighting for.
• You make your own luck.
• There is no influence so powerful as that of a mother.