What Childhood Advise Really Impacted You

[CamINTPeron]

I am a father of two great sons and I would like to know of any childhood advice that has impacted you all through your lives that I might pass onto them.

My Father always told me "always look where you are going not where you have been" and

My Grandfather said

"When you get married never go to bed angry because you want to wake up in the morning". (he was always funny)

[Arioch]

"You can become anything you want"

Or something like that.

It's nice because it gives you a sense of control and I still live occording to that motto. I can become whatever I want. Do whatever I want. etc

[CeSoirNoir]

Looking back to my childhood I honestly don't remember any advice that was given to me...kind of sad. I often wonder if this is because I just have a horrible memory or just a lack of supportive family members and friends.

[Sackanaka]

My dad always said "Think before you do or say something."
happppy I still think that's part of the reason for my INTPness.

[Groty]

"You're the oldest, it doesn't matter what you think. Get used to it."

[INTrPosr]

I would rather you have tried and failed, than not to try at all.

[Sam172]

I was never given (and still have yet to be....) any advice in my childhood. However, a member of my family was given an inspiring piece of advice by an 85 year old cleaner at a fast food outlet:
"Cheer up Tom, we'll all be dead soon"

[Witticism]

"Get used to it." was a big factor. Heh.
I can't think of anything deep and meaningful, except that time my mom told me not to point at the hobo with the pigeons all over him.

[Boneca]

My parents used to say that I should not be concerned with whatever mean things my classmates would say, because their popularity might change over time but I will always be smarter than them.

It sure helped me through a few years of bullying. And they were right too. The popular girls in my class are now fat, unemployed single moms living on the dole, but I'm still smart. :D

[SheepDog]

No positives, only negatives.

[Birdsnest]

I love this thread, this is what I really want to know about everyone. I always feel like I'm missing out on some important piece of information, so this is a great thread.

I will try to remember some things that stayed with me. This is a few, there was much more.

My grandmother would often say "Two wrongs don't make a right". "Think more of the other person". "Your teeth are worth more than gold". "The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is wash your face & brush your teeth". "If you want to know how water comes from the faucet, you have to take physics". "Your hands are like magic" when she wanted me to give her a massage. (I actually believed her and went on and got certified in therapeutic massage because of her encouragement).

My Mom said a million things, but I can't seem to remember any of it. Will add more later.

My sister said, "Beggers can't be chosers" and that really bothered me, and still does. I feel like even beggers have choices. But she also said, "Try to be softer", and that was good advice, as I was somewhat hardened at that time and it helped.

My Dad said a lot of things but its hard to remember. "When you pray to God, don't ask for Money".

My aunt Kathy said, "you deserve much more". (In reference to being a single mom and poor). I listened and never gave up and ended up in a better situation.

I am sure I will think of other things, but they never gave me advice about what to be or to go to college. I had to insist on it myself, they would just asoon I not educate myself, and didn't care about education. I had to fight like "heck" to get myself thru it, no encouragement that way from them.

[Solo]

My parents told me(more like drilled into me) that I have to hold myself to higher standards. If I want to succed I have to be the best at what I do because nothing in this world is free. If it does then it probably isn't worth it.

[file cabinet]

I don't remember what my parents said to me... obviously nothing worth remembering.

[heeroyuy]

I don't really remember much advice from family/peers, never really got all that much. I think the best advice I've ever heard is from a book. "You are what you do when it counts." 10 points to anyone who knows of the book :)

[CamINTPeron]

Thanks everyone there is some great advise mixed in here.
I remembered another one from my grandfather
"Positive thoughts lead to positive actions"

But I think that the meaning that stands out most in this thread is that I have to always encourage my sons if they are to suceed, it is hard sometimes after work but I must as I see the people who constantly post well or are happy received great advise and support from someone. For the others at least you have found a site to belong to where support and advise is freely given by people who understand the way we think. (hmm I hope I am not slipping to the dark side "SF")

As for my 2 sons whenever I can when I tuck them into bed (aged 6 and 3) I remind them of something they were proud of that day and tell them they are very smart and talented for doing it.
I hope that I will continue this way always.

[BritainOphira]

"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull-shit."

My dad constantly tells me this, and it seems to work rather well...

[Serotonin]

My Dad always said "Them's the brakes", when something went wrong or not according to plan. It helped me to accept bad things were not necessarily in my control.

[booyalab]

I think what my parents did and the instances of consistency (or lack thereof)with principles and actions has had more of an impact than any particular "words of wisdom" they gave me.