By the time one learns the rules of life, one is too old to play the game.
But, there is a strategy guide called time.
~~~
With the ever-on-the-move hands of a clock, there come and go, a multitude of personalities in one's life. We being the societal beings we are, there is give-and-take involved in each facet. One of the crucial give-and-take is that of thoughts and ideas. And, occasionally, actions too. :)
More often than not, if this give-and-take of thoughts and ideas comes from elders, it turns into advice, and golden advice at that because it comes from a chronicle of their experience - be it good or bad.
It also serves as a medium for the youngsters of the family to introspect and delve deeper into lives - and seasoned lives at that!
"The people on our planet are not standing in a line single file. Look closely. Everyone is really standing in a circle, holding hands. Whatever you give to the person standing next to you, it eventually comes back to you."
I have tweaked Sir Shaw's saying a bit - "Advice is like smiling; it costs nothing, and is a pleasant thing to do."
Advice from my parents came in the form of gems, which weren't necessarily advice on the outset of it, but held deeper meaning within. Much of my being has been defined by my parents - as a pillar of support, as a cushion to fall back on in times of distress, as a close confidante and companion in times of joy or despair alike.
Life is a process. We are all works in progress - green tomatoes ripening on the window-sill of life.
Being a parent now, I can comprehend how my parents might have had similar feelings as mine.
As I experience more, learn more, and contemplate more, I often think of what use my realizations might be to my daughter. Perhaps, they also had similar sentiments of imparting to me, unsolicited advice, which was of greater utility in the longest run. Perhaps, my advice to her would someday be for her, #AdviceThatMattered. :)
One of the brightest gems that I tell my daughter to abide by is:
"There's always room for improvement;
It's the biggest room in the house."
Some of my mother's anecdotes that left a lasting impression on my individuality were:
- If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes real good, then you did it.
- Luck is like a chameleon. Give it a little time, and it is sure to change.
- Judicious use of time is one of the major contributors to success.
- Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners.
- The big print giveth, and the small print taketh away.
- To get more out of life, give more out of yourself.
- Compliment generously.
- Knowledge without action goes in vain.
- Be smarter than most other people. Just don't tell them so.
- Promise only what you can deliver. Then, deliver more than you promise.
Some of my father's anecdotes that carved a better person out of me were:
- The secret is to become wise before you get old.
- If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.
- When you judge others, you are revealing your own fears and prejudices.
- Excellence is never an accident.
- Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get.
- Opportunity comes disguised as problems often.
- No one ever sat their way to success.
- More people rust out than wear out.
- Work well done is art.
- To teach is to learn again.
I've always tried to abide by these principles and also believe that you must not allow weed to grow on your dreams, for the person who dreams is never alone, always motivated to let their actions be louder than their words. You're always here to live your dream for yourself, so that there's no room for regret.
That's what I did, and that is why I am here to express gratitude to my parents for being the unceasing guiding light. :)
~~~
I am blogging about my dreams and the people who helped make them true for the #AdviceThatMattered activity at BlogAdda in association with Stoodnt.
