I am compiling some pearls of wisdom from grandparents that I heard and learned from friends, colleagues, and random people after I visited my grandmother's tomb in a recent visit to the Philippines. In the Philippines, we call our grandfathers "Lolo" and our grandmothers "Lola" and the two from my Mom's side were two precious human beings, who journeyed with me in my quest to be better in my personal and professional endeavors until they passed on. These are seven of those pearls of wisdom from grandparents that I find very useful now that I have my own family:
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1. Save for the Rainy Days
I was so bad at money management that I would often run to my grandparents for additional allowance back in college. Mom was so strict about money and I could not squeeze anything from her even if I begged. One of the pearls of wisdom from grandparents that keeps ringing in my mind is this: "Save well for the rainy days, Cris. You really don't know when the sun will come out again to give you sunshine."
2. Don't Burn Bridges
My grandfather, Diosdado, told me that I should maintain good relationships with the people I work with because the world is round and I will meet the same people in my future dealings. He told me never to say anything bad about any person to other people and that I should serve as an ambassador of goodwill in all my endeavors. Tough job!
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3. May the Bridges I Burned Light My Way
But my grandmother, Patricia, has a different view. She noted some bridges need to be burned to light your way to growth and success. She said you don’t need to be nice to everyone especially when they are not nice to you. My grandmother said you have to burn bridges when you are being exploited, harassed, and ill-used.
4. Enjoy Your Children
Because they grow up so fast and in the blink of an eye, they will be leaving the comforts of your abode to start their own lives - sans you. My mother told me this when she visited me here in my home in China. She lives in the Philippines and I arranged for her to spend a week off with my family. “One day, I was just holding you as a baby. And now, you have babies of your own. Time flies really fast,” she said.
5. Smile and Laugh. a LOT!
No matter how many drugs and cosmetic products are available in the market, there is no substitute to laughter and smiles. They’re free!
6. Do What You Love Doing
My grandparents taught me that you have to find something you are so passionate about and find a way to earn a living out of your passion. My grandfather wanted to be a sailor but his father prevented him doing so. He ended up as a businessman doing buy-and-sell trading. He wasn't unhappy but he said if only he had been brave enough to voice his opinion, he would have been happier.
7. Cry
Lola Patricia said tears are necessary to cleanse your eyes so that you will see things from a cleaner, fresher, bolder perspective. It’s good for the heart too! Crying is not a manifestation of weakness. It’s a symbol of being rightfully human blessed with the abilities to feel, hear, taste, see, and smell. Crying is a good mix of all these five senses.
What are the pearls of wisdom you learned from your grandparents? Care to share them with us?
Comments
Sofia: My great-grandmother told me "if you are not going to say anything good, just bite your tongue" it helps since i can be brutally honest...
Catharina1969: My great grandmother had her own view on relationships: 'Love is not blind, they just refuse to watch properly.' :-)
Young: My father used to say "whatever you have decided to do, do it quickly because there is no time". He also added, "when you see a thorn or a harmful object on your path, always endeavor to remove it, for you do not know who it will hurt"
Shar: Beautiful article, thank you.
dissery: My grandfather says families are meant to support each other no matter what happens we have to stay together. I miss him so much :(
Samantha: I love number 3 because I am seeing now at least for my own self and situations that it's sooo true!... I have a lot of bridges that I have refused to burn even though I was treated poorly in many ways, because I was always told to never burn your bridges.... But now I realize what is the point of keeping a bridge with someone/something that brings you more pain, sorrow and stress than anything else... To myself there is no point in doing so and in order to be happy in life I have some very difficult bridges that I know I must burn...
Smartdimps: Love it ..wisdom
Byrd: My Great - Grandmother use to say when life threw me curve balls.. to keep on keeping on. And this too shall pass. My Granny was so sweet and kind to everyone she came in contact with. She is greatly missed but will live on in my ❤️
Jane: I love this! Thank you.
Dani: Aw this reminds me of my Mimi
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