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Friday's Final Thought: Life Lessons from Mom

May 10, 2013

For many of us, our moms were our first life coaches—teaching us what we needed to know, holding us to high standards, and loving and encouraging us through it all. 

What is the best life lesson you learned from your mom?

Bill Ripken credits his mom with his being able to cook and not having to live off microwave meals when he was first on the road as a young minor league player.  From the practical to the philosophical, our moms have taught us a lot.  With Mother’s Day this Sunday, I posed the same question to the rest of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation team.  Here are some of their responses....

Steve Salem: My mother taught me that the value of one’s life is measured by what they give, not what they receive.

@Brooke_CRSF: Positivity can only take you so far; your actions take you the other half.  Positive actions make a positive reaction.

Kate Manchester: “To thine own self be true” was the motto my mom lived by and as a reminder to do the same she made a cross stitch that I have displayed at my door so I can start each day with the same intention.

@Flynn_CRSF: Don’t expect anything to be handed to you.  If you want something give the necessary effort and time to achieve it.

@Rosina_CRSF: My mom is always a positive thinker. She always sees the glass half full and that's how she taught my brothers & I to look at every difficult situation we faced growing up.

Jenn Dansicker: My mother taught me to meet the challenges in life with patience, kindness, and unconditional love.

Randy Acosta: Be kind to everyone everyday as you never know who needs a pick me up.

@Chris_CRSF: My mother’s empathy and compassion have without a doubt shaped the person I am today. Although she always tells me that it is super important to follow my dreams and live my own life to the fullest, she never lets me forget that it is the experiences I share with others and the positive impact I make on the world that truly define who I am as a person – now and long after I am gone.

Carrie LeBow: Be nice to everyone because you never know where they will be in the future and relationships are important in everything we do.   

Annette Welsh: If you commit to do something, do it to the best of your ability.

Christine Ryan: I learned strength and compassion from my mother.

Victoria Wolfe: My mother has always told us to find inspiration in the big picture of life, but love and laughter in the details.

@Jeff_CRSF: Mama B taught me that being selfless is much more honorable than selfish.

As for me, I credit my mom with teaching me to be resourceful and get creative with whatever I have, no matter how little or how much.  Share the life lessons your mom taught you in the comments section!