Listography - Lessons from my parents

Kate over at Kate Takes 5 has set us the challenge of coming up with our 5 lessons that we learnt from our parents. Here's my attempt . . .

1. Treat other people the way you would like to be treated - or better

I was brought up to treat other people with kindness and respect. I think that I manage to get this right most of the time but I am bound to slip up from time to time. I don't think you can go far wrong in your treatment of other people by using yourself as a benchmark. I sometimes look at people's behaviour and wonder how they can be so cruel and unkind to others without giving it a second thought. I am proud of the fact that my parents brought me up to be tolerant and accepting of others, regardless of who they are, what they look like, what beliefs they hold and even how they treat me. To my detriment at times, I continue to look for the good in people who shit all over me!

2. There's no pockets in a shroud.

This is really from my Dad and at times it has not always served me well as I tend to spend money thoughtlessly at times but I feel the sentiment is worth looking at in depth. He taught me that it is important to live for today. Don't plan your life instead of living it as you never know when your time may run out. You can save your money for a rainy day but that rainy day might never come. So if there is something you are passionate about, spend the money, spend the time and live your life to the full.

3. Everything happens for a reason, just believe.

Over the years life has thrown us some major obstacles. At times it has felt like fate/God/whatever/whoever you believe is writing the script of our lives is really messing with our family. Sending heartache and disappointment at the worst times. However my Mum always stood by her belief that all the horrible things in life have a knock on effect at some later point in our lives which shapes who we being as people, making us stronger or guiding us in directions we may not have chosen to go. I have to admit that the rubbish moments in my life so far have all healed with time and led me down more positive paths.

4. Karma, Baby, Yeah!

Give out ugliness and you'll get ugliness in return. When I was bullied at school I remember my Mum telling me that 'You'll see your own of them' which basically means that the hurt they have caused you will come back to them and in years to come you will be in a much better place and be able to look back at this and laugh. They also taught me that the people you meet on your way up will be the ones you see again on the way down so treat them nicely. There is nothing more annoying that people who think they are a class above everyone else, someone who looks down on others because they are, in their opinion, more fortunate.

5. Don't tell black lies and keep an eye on the white ones

From a very young age I was told never to lie. Even if the truth was hurtful or if I would get into trouble should the truth come to light. I was always encourage to come clean with the truth. I was taught by my Mum  that I would get into so much more trouble if I lie and I am then found out because not only will I be in trouble for the actual deed I am lying about but also for lying. I hate the feeling of being lied to and I like to think I have a bullshit detector installed within me. I actually tell the kids in my class that I was upgraded at 'teacher school' with an internal lie detector and eyes in the back of my head. This is what I call a white lie. One that doesn't really harm anyone not like those awful big black lies that cause so much pain to others. I like to keep an eye on the white lies though so that lying doesn't become a habit.

Check out the other entries ...

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Paying it Forward (RAOK)

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
Princess Diana

It's that time of the week again where I spill the beans on any Random Acts of Kindness I have bestowed on others throughout the past week. It was easy this week! Here is what happened last week .  .  .

I was not really interested in watching the Royal Wedding (ironic choice of above quote) so I planned to go the the Scottish Baby and Toddler Show in the SECC. I ordered tickets online ages ago but I hadn't opened the envelope. When we got to the show my hubby, who has the bladder of a two year old boy, had to visit the little boys room so I stood outside with JC. I was taking the tickets out of the envelope when I realised that I had bought 3 tickets by mistake. Initially I thought 'bummer, I could've sold it if I noticed sooner' but then I realised an opportunity to take part in a RAOK. 

I looked around and spotted a heavily pregnant woman walking past with her family. She had a kind face so I asked her if she had already bought tickets. She looked at me suspiciously as if I was some sort of illegal ticket tout and hesitantly replied 'no'. I handed her my spare ticket and explained that I had bought an extra ticket by mistake but that she could have it. She was a bit taken aback but then I guess that people are not used to getting something for nothing these days!

I spoke about karma and paying it forward (fab film!) in my first RAOK post about homelessness and  I firmly stand by the fact that being kind pays off. I don't think you should be kind and give to others with an expectation that you will receive something back but I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that kind deeds will be rewarded. I was brought up with the philosophy of treating others the way I would want to be treated. I even try to be kind to grumpy, not so nice people, not because they are kind but because I am. 

I hope you, my wonderful readers, have all experienced kindness in some form this week either as the giver or the receiver. If you would like to write it about then feel free to link up . . .