My favourite lessons simply have to be life lessons. Not everyone may agree with me on this one.
But think about this: You know when your parents or grandparents give you invaluable advice, at the time you think: “Agh these old folks have no idea what they saying it’s the 21st century all that no longer applies…”
It’s only later on in life when you realise they actually did know what they were saying; if only I paid attention. There are times when you do that exact same thing they teaching you not to, and regret it.
I want to share this key advice a mother gave to her daughter before going to a new school, not only that she also showed her what she meant.
My daughter starts middle school tomorrow.
We’ve decorated her locker, bought new uniforms, even surprised her with a new backpack.
But tonight just before bed, we did another pre-middle school task that is far more important than the others.
I gave her a tube of toothpaste and asked her to squirt it out onto a plate.
When she finished, I calmly asked her to put all the toothpaste back in the tube.
She began exclaiming things like “But I can’t!” and “It won’t be like it was before!” I quietly waited for her to finish and then said the following:
“You will remember this plate of toothpaste for the rest of your life.
Your words have the power of life or death.
As you go into middle school, you are about to see just how much weight your words carry.
You are going to have the opportunity to use your words to hurt, demean, slander and wound others.
You are also going to have the opportunity to use your words to heal, encourage, inspire and love others.
You will occasionally make the wrong choice; I can think of three times this week I have used my own words carelessly and caused harm.
Just like this toothpaste, once the words leave your mouth, you can’t take them back.
Use your words carefully, Breonna.
When others are misusing their words, guard your words.
Make the choice every morning that life-giving words will come out of your mouth.
Decide tonight that you are going to be a life-giver in middle school.
Be known for your gentleness and compassion.
Use your life to give life to a world that so desperately needs it.
You will never, ever regret choosing kindness.”
This is an amazing lesson and I think we all could make use this in our everyday lives. Parents, don’t stop giving advice!
