Written by:
Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Phone: 919.454.8864
Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Website: http://www.DarleenMc.com
The other night, while watching Oprah's Big Give, something occured to me. The Big Givers conducted acts of kindness for those who the doctors say will soon depart this Life soon - and I thought:
Why is it that we often wait until our loved ones are sick to do nice things for them - and to tell them how much we care?!
As a child, I heard my maternal Grandmother say: "Give me my flowers while I can still smell them."
I wondered what she meant by that - but now there's no doubt in my mind. She wasn't only speaking of the physical flowers, but also the kind words that people had to say about her and to her.
We've all been to funerals where there were kind words said about the person. But of course, they can't hear them!
So, why not say the kind words to the person while you can look into their eyes and see their reactions - rather than wait?
Two of the most important people in my life are my parents. They have been married for more than 4 decades, and I applaud them.
Following Are the Top 10 Things I Learned from My Parents During Their First 40 Years of Marriage
1. They Taught Me the Difference Between Right and Wrong. As I was growing up, I always thought that my parents were a little strict on me. As a child, I couldn't really appreciate it, but now I surely do. One of the best compliments I've heard about my parents came from a gentleman I worked with in Corporate America years ago. His compliments went something like this:
"You must have really good parents. I have watched how you've conducted yourself, and how you don't compromise your values for anyone."
He was present once when I was asked by a manager to lie for him - and I refused to do so. Of course, my parents had taught me that it was wrong to lie under any circumstances - and also, I knew that if I lied for someone in management - who was to say that they wouldn't think I was an immoral person who may later lie to them about something?
2. My Parents Taught me the Importance of Prayer: Each morning before school, we would take time to pray. To this day, a relationship with God is still important in my life. I am so thankful for all of the many blessings in my life. Sometimes, I feel so undeserving for all of the great things that have happened to me.
3. Family is Important: I've heard it said that: You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your family. LOL. At the end of the day, your family is the one that's going to be there for you-to listen, to stick by you, and to help you out of difficult situations. When the going gets rough, you can always depend on family!
Old family McCullen family photos, including my parents' high school graduation pictures & original marriage license (1966)
4. Never Step on Other People: Because the same people you step on the way up, you'll see them on the way down. I sometimes watched as people in Corporate stabbed others in the back- but I'm proud to say that after 16 years of working in a Corporate environment, I never stabbed anyone in the back or lied to anyone. Mom and Dad, you taught me right! It's not always popular to do the right thing - but it surely pays off in the end!
5. Be Self-Sufficient: My dad passed this down from his father: "There comes a time when every tub must stand on its own bottom." I thought this was very interesting - and again, I didn't understand what this meant when I was younger. But now I realize that it means that instead of always relying on someone else to solve one's problems, as individuals, we must stand on our own and just figure out what to do!
6. Help Others: "To whom much is given, much is required." (a paraphrase of St. Luke 12:48 - KJV). My parents have always been an excellent example of reaching out to help others in need-and for doing what's right-even when it wasn't popular. I have watched my parents work tirelessly through the years in the Church and community. They have always been willing to help young couples who may have been experiencing problems within their marriages - or a youngster who might have otherwise been "lost" if it hadn't been for my parents' guidance.
At my parents' 40th anniversary celebration, there were a number of individuals who were not originally on the Program who felt compelled to speak about how much my parents had helped them through the years. It was amazing how many people they've helped - and the example they've set by simply living by principles of the Golden Rule.
7. Encouraging and Inspiring: No matter how lofty the goals, my parents would never laugh or discourage me. (Sometimes even I couldn't believe some of the goals I set for myself!) My mother would always encourage me by saying things like, "The sky is the limit"-and her yardstick of measurement while I was in college was, "Those other kids are doing it, aren't they?" If they could do it-then I could, too! You see, it's not always the smartest people who succeed - but those who are persistent!
8. Meet People Where They Are: Don't try to change people. I believe their marriage has lasted so long because they respect each other. I'm sure there are/were things they wanted to change, but at the end of the day, people are going to be who they are-and won't change unless they really want to do so.
9. They Sacrificed for their Children: They sacrificed so much so that we could have a better life. This, no doubt, meant that they had to do without so that I could achieve. Because of their sacrifices, I am the person I am today.
10. Work Hard: My parents are excellent examples of working hard to achieve one's goals. I remember times when my mother would say to me, "It doesn't matter if you have to go to bed late and get up early" so that I could make good grades and measure up - or to fulfill some work obligation. Those same lessons have stuck with me to this day! They are prime examples of this-they work hard at whatever it is they do. What a great example!
So...Who do you need to call or let know how much they mean to you?
Please take a moment to listen to this song from Stevie Wonder, "These Three Words", which speaks volumes...
Darleen McCullen,
REALTOR® on a Mission... NOT Just Seeking a Commission!TM
Website: http://www.darleenmc.com/
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by those who are part of the ActiveRain community, including those providing comments relating to this blog, are their opinions and their alone - and do NOT reflect the opinions of Darleen McCullen and Keller Williams Realty. Darleen McCullen and Keller Williams Realty are not responsible for the accuracy (or lack thereof) or content provided by others.
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