16 Lessons I Learned from My Mom’s Passing
On May 21, 2021, my best friend and beautiful mother passed into a new life experience. She went from being my Earth Angel to my Divine Angel.
After World War 2, at the courageous and hopeful age of 18, Mom left a life of scarcity and lack in Germany and followed her dreams. With no money in her pocket and no knowledge of English, this determined and ever-so-kind woman created a life of abundance and ease in Canada… but not before enduring extreme hardships.
Through perseverance, hard work, and following the subtle nudges from her beckoning heart, Mom created the life she had envisioned for herself… and for this, my mom is my hero. She’s left a legacy of dedication, commitment, compassion, kindness, and unconditional love.
As I sat by her bedside holding her hand during the last two weeks of her time as my mom, I reflected on all that I had learned from this amazing woman throughout my life with her, up until the last moments of her transition.
I relay these lessons with great reverence and hope that you glean something inspiring, helpful, or perhaps uplifting, from them.
Here they are…
- When you wish to curse, criticize, or judge another, “bite your tongue” as my mom would say. Pointing fingers, blaming, or attempting to place your emotional baggage on others will not do them (nor you) any service.
- Smile. Often. And for no reason.
- More can be conveyed in a minute through a silent and gentle touch than words can express in an hour.
- Your thoughts, environment, and the people around you are like a stream of music in your life. Music can soothe your soul and lift your energy, or it can create a sense of discord and discomfort. Choose the music in your life wisely.
- If you can’t wink with one eye, wink with both. Work with what you’ve got and what you can do and do it with dignity.
- Dogs elevate your energy. When you’re feeling low, hug a pooch.
- Stop whining. Complaining makes things worse. It draws energy to and expands the very thing you wish to experience less of.
- If you are breathing, peeing, and farting with ease, you are blessed with a life of abundance and ease… you merely need to perceive it as such.
- When in doubt, or in a moment of despair, relentlessly seek something for which you are grateful and spend a moment whole-heartedly appreciating that thing.
- Flowers are more than a kind gesture—they elevate the energy of the space which they occupy.
- Get curious, daydream, reflect, and discover what you truly desire. Manifestation begins with a desire and intention—and when these are aligned with your heart, the universe conspires to make miracles happen.
- With knowledge, guidance, and practice, sadness melts into love.
- It’s nearly impossible to be your greatest self when your emotions are running the show. Emotions are meant to be honoured and processed (just like the food you eat). With guidance and disciplined effort, emotions can work for your benefit.
- Your beliefs create your experiences. Don’t like your experiences? Change your underlying beliefs about them. The choice is yours.
- Sometimes, the answer to a problem is ice cream.
- To leave a great legacy, you don’t need to do great things… only small things with great love.
Please join me in honouring my mom’s life by reflecting on this list and choosing at least one item to implement in your life starting today.