“I was raised by a brave and strong and independent woman.
She taught me to know what I want and to go for it.
She raised me to champion worthy causes.
To work hard for what I want.
To know my own mind.
She taught me to dream big and never to give up on my dreams.
She taught me to show respect.
To have respect for my elders, but also for the younger ones.
To agree and disagree with people without disrespect.
I was taught to knock before I open a door.
To say hello when I enter a room.
To say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’.
To say “please” and to understand that a sense of entitlement won’t get me far.
To say “thank you”,
I learnt to let another person have my seat if they need it.
I learnt to give, without expecting anything in return.
I learnt to share.
I learnt to smile, even in the midst of the fiercest of storms.
I learnt to laugh, a loud belly laugh, with my eyes, and my heart.
I learnt to cry, honestly and silently.
I learnt to help others when they need me to.
I learnt to ask for help when I need it.
I learnt not stand on the sidelines and watch.
She taught me to hold the door for the person behind me and say “thank you” if someone holds the door for me.
To say ‘excuse me’ when it’s needed and to love people for who they are and not for what I can get from them.
To say “I’m sorry” and to mean it.
To forgive, both myself and others.
I was raised never to judge others.
To treat people exactly how I would like to be treated by others. It’s called respect.
She taught me to both be proud and humble, and to know the difference.
She taught me to speak my mind and to sometimes keep my mouth shut.
To listen to others when they speak.
To accept constructive criticism.
To be both stubborn and flexible about it as circumstances demand.
To know when and how to apologise, but also to know when not to apologise for who I am.
She taught me to know how to celebrate victories and to learn from failures.
I was raised to be strong.
To be firm.
To be kind.
To be gentle.
To be gracious.
To be demanding.
To be patient.
To be generous, to myself and to other.
I was raised to fight and never to give up. Never to quit.
And above all, I was raised to know God, to love Him and to trust Him.
To know that my future is secured.
To love.
To forgive.
To hope.
And to always have faith.
My Mum taught me well.
She taught me to be me. To love me. To be at home with me.
And, with all my strengths and weaknesses, I am me.
Growing.
Changing.
Learning.
Unlearning.
I am me. A strong, brave, and independent woman.
And, today as I celebrate, I want to celebrate these values and everyone who has them.
Share if you were raised with these strong values or if any of them resonates with you.
