As I walked to my car Wednesday night, I picked up the phone to call to say I was running late. I wouldn’t be at my parent’s house for another hour, and I didn’t want to worry my mom. “Please be careful,” she said back as I clicked in my seatbelt and headed towards the expressway. My mom has told me “be careful” all my life … along with hundreds of other pieces of advice that moms tell their children. The stuff that as kid, you sorta tune out … until one day you have an ah-ha moment, and realize your mom was pretty smart. Yeap, my mom …. well she is insanely smart.

Between packing lunches, applying band-aids and being the best listener …. she has taught me so many life lessons and gave the best advice. I mean, she is still the first person I call with any news.

So in honor of Mother’s Day …. I thought I would share 10 of my favorite life lessons /advice from my beautiful mother.

[ 1 ] Always be nice to everyone you meet. Don’t burn bridges. You never know how / when they will come back in to your life. 

[ 2 ] Take care of yourself. Eat well. Stretch (she tells me this every time I talk to her … still). Exercise. Rest. Your health is one of the most important things.

[ 3 ] Create and always stay inspired. My mom’s family is FULL of creatives, and growing up I watched my mom and grandma make endless projects for fun, their homes and as gifts. It is something I love to do …. and it is even better when I can do it with my mom.

[ 4 ] Wear good shoes and keep them polished. When they look tired … let them go. I know this one to be true, but I have a hard time getting rid of some of my boots.

[ 5 ] Follow your passion. Life is too short to be unhappy. #truth

[ 6 ] Always send a thank you note. It goes such a long way. And who doesn’t love snail mail these days?

[ 7 ] Continue to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. It is the only way to grow.

[ 8] This too shall pass. When things are bad, they will get better. When things are amazing, they won’t always be. Be present in the moment, and make the most of every one you have.

[ 9 ] Don’t save the china, silver or candles for a special occasion. Today is special.

[ 10 ] The only thing you can’t get more of is time. So choose to spend it wisely. 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. I love you. Thank you for showing me over the years how to be strong, creative, loving and happy. I am the person I am today because of you. These simple words cannot convey how much you mean to me … but until I can figure out how to do that, this will have to do.