We have such an aversion towards unsolicited advice, that even when someone says “Have a nice day”, it feels like an order to which the only apt response is: “Don’t tell me what to do”! We get so overrun by all this guidance, that even the most innocuous, benevolent, and genuinely good words become intolerable. It’s human nature! While as adults, we aim to steer away from all the opinions that our peers impose on us, if you think about it, this mechanism traces back to most of our childhoods. Remember when your parents said: “Tell me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are” and other “annoying” stuff like that? Can you recall how all these figures of speech just got your goat? Yeah, that.
When it comes to our mothers, most of them can’t go a day without giving us tips and tricks about life – sometimes lovingly, and sometimes, in the shrewdest manner that makes us instantly build a resistance towards what they’re saying. Notice how kids treat the authoritative tone as a signal to brace themselves for what follows – parental “gyaan”. We’ve all been there at some point, haven’t we?
Well, here’s the thing. Out of all those thousands of pieces of information our parents feed us while we’re growing up (which we obviously don’t take too seriously then), we usually grow up to realise that a good chunk of it were words of wisdom.
Today, we’ve rounded off the top five things that most parents say to their children, and they turn out to be true in adulthood. Prepare to relate.
“Everyone is not your friend.”
This is a true classic! Sometimes, we tend to take people at face value and trust them with our most intimate feelings. As it is said, we assess people on the basis of how we are and not how they actually are, which may lead us to believe that everyone we mingle with has only our best interests at heart. Growing up teaches us that it’s far from the truth, and not everyone we mix with needs to know every aspect about our lives and personalities. It’s important to filter your circle and be mindful of the energy you welcome into your life.
“It’s a tough world out there!”
It definitely is! With time, we learn that there are no free lunches in life, meaning you don’t get something for nothing. Life is all about give and take, and finding people who are willing to accommodate your needs without expecting anything in return is close to mission impossible.
“Guard your heart.”
It takes years to understand the importance of guarding your heart. No, this does not mean you become distant and emotionally unavailable. It simply means that you need to make an informed decision about who you let in.
“You don’t demand respect, you command it.”
There’s a saying: when you demand respect, you will be shown respect. But that’s usually all it is – a show. When you earn respect, only then will you truly receive it. No matter what position you’re at in your job or in life, staying humble and grounded is the key to retaining that level. The moment you think you’re indispensable, life will prove you wrong.
“Save some money for a rainy day.”
In our early employment days, salary day usually equals a shopping spree, a day at the spa, going to nightclubs, and simply spending all our hard-earned cash on things that are short-lived. Learning to tuck away some money and build a savings account is something that may seem impossible to do. However, believe us, if you don’t pull up your socks when you’re older, you’re likely to experience a bumpy road ahead!
Lead Image credit is Walt Disney Pictures