In Honor Of Momma!

Greg Taylor

If you are like me, you need someone to remind you of certain important dates. Anniversaries, birthdays, and, yes, Mother’s Day.

In honor of Mother’s day, I would like to celebrate my mother and the beautiful life she has created -right NOW! So many times in life we regret not telling someone how they made us feel or what they have done for us. I have encouraged many of my clients (and myself, as well) to write letters to the most important people in their lives—to make sure that the things that matter don’t go unsaid.

On my 40th birthday, I wrote my parents a letter. As I had grown in age and perspective, I took stock of my successes and failures, my triumphs and mistakes. And there had been plenty of mistakes! I wanted my parents to know how grateful I was for them, for their leadership, for the way that they had allowed me to become who I was on that day. By their example, they had modeled a life of honor and faithfulness. I did not always follow their example. But I learned, and I emerged a better father and husband for the journey. I was grateful then, and I wanted to let my parents know. I am even more grateful today.

To honor my mom, here are 25 of her sayings that have had the greatest impact on me:

MOMMA SAYS:

Don’t cry over spilled milk – clean it up!
Learn to love what you have to do, because you will do more of that in your lifetime than what you want to do. (For the record, this is my favorite of all of my mom’s quotations!)
You can do anything you want, if you are willing to work for it.
Guilty by association.
When you go somewhere and leave, make sure you leave it better than when you got there.
NO complaining and no whining.
NO gossiping.
NO bad mouthing anyone including your enemies.
Forgive and forget.
Don’t say: “I can’t do that.” You can do whatever you put your mind to.
Can’t never could do anything.
Personal accountability – Your behavior - Your consequence.
If you want to play or work, you have to do what your coach/authority tells you to do.
Punishment must fit the crime (action).
NO excuses – PERIOD!
Pick up after yourself.
Loafing at work is like stealing from your employer.
Can’t do what you want to, until you do what you have to.
Believe 0% of what you hear and believe about 50% of what you see; and use your own information and discernment to make decisions.
IF it’s got to be it is up to me – GET IT DONE!
Never say Never!
Everything rises and falls on leadership (parents)!
Can’t fix a problem until you own it!
What you sow is what you reap – gardening for life!
Just like the famous quote by Henry Ford, my MOMMA used to say, “If you think you can you are right! If you think you can't, you are right! YOUR CHOICE!