I know my parents imparted important lessons to me over the years but I can't remember any exact phrases that I can quote. My Dad taught me never to quit and always be on time and my Mom taught me not to leave the house without a little lipstick on and if you are having a bad day, getting a shower can be just the thing you need to feel a little better.
Their precepts have come to mind many times over the years, especially when I am running late and am not wearing any makeup. But there are a few proverbs I've collected that have stuck with me for one reason or another. These three phrases are so random and the people who shared them were in my orbit only briefly, but their words have been immortalized in my mind. I'll start in chronological order.
Pick to win, don't pick your friends.
This phrase came from my summer gym instructor back in the 90's. Many kids opted to take summer gym to free up a period during the year to take another class, like a foreign language or additional math credit. While there were many academics in this group, there were also kids that had failed gym during the year so the student body was a bit diverse.
I was not a sporty kind of gal and my skills were limited, but I always gave it my best try. One day we were playing volleyball and I was chosen to be a team captain. I was so excited to get this opportunity, I usually didn't, and I looked around and skill never came into consideration when picking teammates. As I was happily picking my limited talent team, I heard the instructor Mr. Hagedus say, "Bishop, pick to win! Don't pick your friends."
I thought that was terrible advice and although in the end we lost miserably, I had a better time loosing with friends than I would have if I had won with acquaintances. I have not really been in it to win it over the years and I feel my friends have picked me, which makes me the winner.
You can't always be Superman, sometimes you've gotta be Clark Kent.
This one I heard at my first 'real' job. I was fortunate to work for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County for three summers while I was in college. I worked with a great bunch of people and had some pretty interesting experiences. I worked in the office with a wonderful group of ladies who handled a variety of duties from taking payments to answering phones. They would take down complaints and send a crew out to handle water problems that came up during the day.
One of the guys on the crew, who went by the nickname Turk, became overwhelmed one day when it seemed like the calls kept coming in and he was being pushed to the limit. Most of the conversations between the office ladies and the guys happened over a two way radio, but this day Turk came in personally. He told the ladies in so many words that he couldn't fix everyone's problem. (Hence the Superman, Clark Kent reference.) This phrase has come to mind many times with my three kids, especially when something has gone wrong and I am expected to fix it. Sometimes even moms need a day to keep the cape in the drawer.
You can have it all, just not at the same time.
These wise words of wisdom came from a co-worker when I was expecting my first child. Bonita's children were older and she finally had the chance to focus on her career. She told me as I was preparing to go from a full time job to a part time job that it wasn't a myth that women could have it all, but that I would have to be patient and enjoy the seasons of motherhood and everything would come together, in its time.
Bonita had such an excitement about her to be back on the job and thankful for the opportunities that were presented. I have been lucky because having a career in communications has allowed me to work part time for 15 years. I have been able to dabble in both radio and print, but I also had to take on other jobs including cashier and caretaker when flexible jobs in my field just weren't there. At times there have been highs and at times there have been lows, but I've kept Bonita's words in my mind along the way.
Hopefully like me, you, dear reader, have been blessed with individuals that have imparted wisdom, which continues to guide you along the bumpy road of life.
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| 1992 - KB's high school graduation day with little sis. (Rockin' my silver cords!) |
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