What I Learned About Life From My Mom

Mothers are an anomaly of human existence. They are enigmatic, omnipresent beings that often do things that we think don’t make sense at that moment, but hold much greater meaning as we grow older.

They are like that standard cog of wheel in an incredibly disorganized system of a family. We secretly know that they are the most important part of the machine. But because they work so quietly and efficiently, they often go unnoticed.

Just because we think that our lives are more complicated with the ecosystems of a job, bosses, employees, and professional terminology, we often compare our workings to that of our mothers. We ‘apparently’ do more, we face more of the world, we’re more aware and exposed so automatically, we think we know more.

But man, we are so so wrong.

Our mothers quite literally manage all the other aspects of our lives, which therefore allows us to manage things better. So technically, their little methods of working around the house, or even in whatever they do, let’s us do our own jobs better.

There is this subtle trickle-down effect. Quite literally activities they perform under the radar that, once again, often go unnoticed. But deserve the recognition no corporate award can top.

They are masters of multi-tasking, adorning different hats of occupations, learning the smaller tricks of trade, discovering new methods of creating and most importantly, they take care of literally everything around them. It’s like their heart is bigger than Hermione’s bottomless bag.

Essentially, they are the reasons we exist the way we do.

And the funny part it, we don’t tap into the learnings of these hidden gems, resting right under our roofs. We don’t know how to observe, learn and absorb what they have to teach us. We can almost, as often, prevent so many mistakes if we just listened to them in the first place. Seriously, Mothers are mystic, crystal ball holders of the phrase “I told you so.”

After living at home with my mother for 8 months this year, the longest I’ve ever been home since I started going to school, I have come to realize that these creatures we call ‘Mom’ actually hold the secrets to many things in life.

So I am going to share some with you. Things I have learned from my mom this year, which teach you the hidden process of grounding yourself and how to quite literally keep functioning when everything else in the world is malfunctioning.

The Importance Of Waking Up Early In The Morning And Having A Routine

Not even once has my mom gotten up later than 7 am this year. Or even earlier. Not even once has my mom slept it. And it’s not like she can’t, she most definitely can if she wanted to. But she doesn’t. Why?

The way I see it, building a standard routine for yourself helps you normalize your day, just like it were any other day outside this year. Yes, the advantages of waking up early and building your routine starts your day on the right note, sure.

But the consistency of building a habit helps you feel like you have one thing going for yourself. One thing you’re achieving, one thing you are doing right. To top it all, early mornings give you a quiet time that’s for your own thoughts and your own activities before the rest of the day is filled with doing things that include everything or everyone else in the world.

The Power Of Genuine Relationships

Mothers should start their own PR University. How do they maintain and keep relationships with everyone and still stay true and genuine to them all?

From the house help’s sister-in-law’s daughter, to the lady who does her nails every month, from our driver to the production manager in the factory- my mother can strike a genuine bond with everyone she meets.

And you know what she does? She’s asks and remembers their name, listens to them, smiles and gives them her full attention. She doesn’t think any form of relationship is too small, whether it be the family that lives in the construction site next door, or the electronics repair guy in the shop. Nor should any relationship be treated any less.

“People may not remember your name, but they will remember how you made them feel.”

 Keeping Yourself Positively Preoccupied

It ok to do nothing sometimes, and there is a time you can allot yourself for it.

My mother however is a multi-tasking queen. If you think I’m an organized list maker, she does all of that and more in her head.

As I am typing this, my mom has made a meal for 5, packed & sent a meal for 2 for the office, communicated bank work, insists on making chai and breakfast for our part-time house help, showered, cleaned, helped with some paper work, and even took the time to book her hair appointment. Such a boss.

She is always busy and she likes to be busy. She likes being preoccupied with tasks that she needs to complete, in order to run a house and help out with our business.

Being busy is what keeps you active, keeps your mind running and your head filled with productive thoughts that don’t leave room for unnecessary emotions we all sometimes feel.

The reason I say positively preoccupied because my mom’s down time, is also a part of her schedule. Doing things that alleviate your stress or helps you think in a different perspective is also a task to accomplish. And that is equally as important as the ‘work’ tasks for the day. Taking the time out to recharge.

Never Too Old To Pick Up New Skills And Learn Something New

Everyone applauds big efficiency goals in a business environment. Because those are measurable and those skill sets are graded regularly.

But why don’t we also look at life techniques mothers develop as a method to either get more done in the day, save more money and even up skill themselves, especially before a time Youtube or Google were invented?

Finding new, innovative ways to do things, to cook things and to make things, is natural to a mom. Doing the same set of things every day, and getting even more efficient at it is a skill set I demand should be on these fancy e-learning based platforms.

You are never ever too old to learn how to use advanced technology, learn about astrophysics, connect to your spiritual side and tailor an entirely new outfit out of an old one. Heck, you are never too old to learn how to NEVER let the milk overspill while not having to stick your eyes to the side of the stove.

You are never too old to learn new things. It’s also often what keeps you going and your heart satisfied.

Knowing Your Values And Sticking To Them

The world is pushy, judgemental, dubious and often criticizing. They have an opinion about everything you do and whatever you do. Including the things you believe in and the things that make you happy. My mom taught me that your faith is what’s important. Not what people think of them.

Sure, there may be days you question yourself, what you do and who you are. Adapting to the current environment doesn’t change who you are and what you stand for. If it makes you happy, if it’s not harming anymore, if it’s what keeps you grounded and balanced, then it deserves to be fought for. You are what you think you are, and not what people think of you. Know who you are and what makes you, you. And never lose sight of the authenticity you bring.

And last but not the least,

There Is Something To Learn From Everything Around You

Whether it’s a life lesson from the neighbour, or a piece of advice from an elderly, or even this cool thing you read in the paper, there is something to learn from everything. Good or bad, fortunate or unfortunate. What you learn gives you the wisdom to either not repeat mistakes, or even save yourself from making errors in life in the first place. Or they humble you and make you grateful for what you have and who you are.

There is something to learn from everything and everyone around you.

And these are the things I learned from my mom.

Who is not just a person who makes domestic tasks look easy, no. Mothers no longer should be taken for people who can only cook amazing things, no.

Mothers should now be regarded for the true potential and talent they have. They are natural born marketers, managers, financial advisors, therapists, multi-taskers, business owners, real-estate advisors, teachers, image consultants, fashionistas, role-models, and finally… moms- the hardest, challenging profile that can give the biggest, most successful CEOs in the world a run for their money.

Happy birthday mom! I can’t afford to give you the world, (yet)! But I hope this was ok too :)

From,

Niki