If you’re anything like me, you hardly ever listen to your mother’s lessons. She was always wrong, and we kids both young and old, know better since we’re up to speed on today’s culture. As I’ve gotten older and have history to reflect on, I can see the many times that dear ole mom was, in fact, right. And she’s even had the grace not to say, “I told you so.” Since her guidance and each lesson was so valuable and would have saved lots of time and heartache, I thought I’d share it with you.

Your friends make you who you are, so choose them wisely.

It’s easy to choose friends who have a good time and tell you to go ahead and do it. You only live once. Unless you’re living once within the context of healthy boundaries, it’s a bad idea. IF you choose emotionally healthy friends who are in the same flow as you, then you will go in the right direction. If you have that negative influence, you’ll go off course which can lead to bad decisions, bad habits and years of a sloppy life that isn’t working out how you thought it would.

Lesson 1. It’s okay to cut some people out of your life cold turkey.

When you realize you’ve been hanging around any toxic person, it’s perfectly acceptable to cut that person off from your life and sever all contact. If you take it nice and slow. It will draw out an already sad and painful process. You’re not being mean to administer a firm boundary. It’s okay to take care of yourself and cut another person off. That means blocked phone numbers, no more friendship on Facebook. No emails or any other form of communication. Ignore the other person and he/she will eventually go away.

Lesson 2. Don’t stop going to church.

What ever your source of spiritual guidance may be, don’t stop attending services. When you do, you disconnect from your compass. You stop the influx of healthy guidance and trade it to wander aimlessly through life seeking current culture for to help guide you in your decision making. Vulture has never directed people to healthy means to an end.

Lesson 3. Take time to rest.

It’s easy to wear yourself out enjoying life, but if you’re exhausted, you don’t enjoy it as much. Give yourself time to enjoy a lazy day or a night off of activities and company. Veg out with the TV or read or write like me :-). When you do, you recharge with a new energy and gusto for life. Give yourself the luxury of taking a day of rest.

Lesson 4. You can still eat too much of the right thing.

Mom always helped me to make healthy eating choices. At one point I stopped listening to her, and ballooned up. I still hate looking at photos from that time of life. Now, that I’m at my ideal weight, mom’s words echo in my ear that it’s often not what you’re eating, but how much. If you eat two tons of salad, you’re only stretching your stomach so that the next time you want to splurge on pizza, one piece is no longer satisfying. Be careful and manage your portions as well as the fat, carb and calorie content of what you’re eating.

Lesson 5. My favorite lesson. Never forget I’m always here for you.

No matter how much I’ve turned away from my family and disconnected form our relationship, mom and dad never fail. I’m grateful I still have both my parents and they’re still married. It’s a huge blessing and comfort to know they are here for me no matter what and will be here in a day if I need them. I try not to think about the time of life when we won’t have that luxury.

These are some good lessons my mom taught me. I hope they help you some how. What has you’re mom taught you?