Growing up, my siblings and I were surrounded by signs. Physical signs, all over the house. When one of us was headed off course, my parents would always point to a sign or recite the message on one to redirect us.
One sign that I clearly remember hanging in our family room read: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I think the lemonade sign is one of the reasons that we tend to be optimists in my family. We were taught to look at the glass as half full and make the best out of any situation.
Another one was, “I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that and then I remembered that I am somebody.” Whenever we would complain about something, my parents would say to us, “Well, then go do something about it.” I often think of this and try never to complain if I’m not willing to step up and change the situation. I often hear parents complain on the sidelines of sporting events about the volunteer coaches who out there doing it and I think of that saying. You get it, right?
My parents not only used these signs to help shape us kids, but also to help themselves. You might remember one that I wrote about a few months ago in a post about the gift of grace I learned from my mom, a plaque that helped her get through some of the tough days raising five young children. It stated “Children need love especially when they don’t deserve it.”
My parents have a guest house “down the shore” in Ocean City, NJ called Osborne’s Innand the guests always comment to my mom how they love reading her signs throughout the house. As a kid, I didn’t appreciate those signs, but now as an adult I know the impact they had on my life. One that hangs in the laundry room at the shore, which is visible from the kitchen and is drilled into my head, is “Great people talk about Ideas, Average people talk about things and Small people talk about other people.” Again, as kids, if we went off track, my mom would either point to the sign or say, “Be Great!” I think that is probably why we have literally spent hours and hours on the porch talking about ideas and why several of us in my family are entrepreneurs. We are always talking ideas. It is so much fun…and much better than talking about people.
I was pleasantly surprised last month when I saw my 12-year old daughter, Molly, redecorated the area around her mirror in her room. She had hung positive quotes as well as one particular new sign. Her new sign reads, “She turned her cant’s into cans & her dreams into plans.” I had nothing to do with it, but was so proud that she is learning to surround herself with uplifting messages that speak to her. I see my daughter living her dreams today and it makes me smile.
I invite you to take some time to hang that sign that inspires or motivates you. You can tape your mantra to your computer screen, hang that picture in your kitchen or encourage your children to hang something that speaks to them to be their best self. Sometimes it really only takes five minutes to create a lifetime of inspiration and good habits.
What are some of your favorite sayings that have shaped your life? Please share them below. You never know, they might end up on my wall at home or here at Baby Be Hip!
