I’m sure that all of us have wise grandmothers. And if we will admit it, our mothers were probably pretty smart too (once we got past a certain age). Come to think of it, I’ve learned some pretty important lessons from my friends and even my own daughter. All of these women have wisdom to bring to the table because of their different life experiences and circumstances. It’s up to us to learn from the wise women all around us so that we can become wise women too.
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Wise women lessons about self-development
- Develop yourself before you worry about focusing on someone else.
- Get an education. No woman needs to be dependent upon a man for her survival.
- If you learn to love to read you can learn anything you ever need in life.
- You’ll never be bored if you love reading.
- The more you learn the more you realize you don’t know.
- Learn something new every day.
- Don’t wait for happiness to find you. Make yourself happy now.
- Learn everything you can. You never know when you’ll need it.
- Don’t marry someone thinking they’ll make you happy. Your happiness is your job.
- Be true to yourself. Not everyone will like it but at least you’ll be happy.
- You have to work for anything you want.
- Don’t get married simply so that you won’t be alone.
- If you wait till the right time to have a baby (quit a job, take the vacation, etc.) you’ll never do it. The right time doesn’t exist, you just have to go for it.
Lessons from wise women about money
- Be able to make your own living.
- Buy on sale – don’t pay full price for anything.
- Always keep a little money hidden in your wallet for an emergency.
- Don’t spend every penny you earn.
- It doesn’t cost any more to run the car on a full tank of gasoline than it does on an empty one.
General life lessons from wise women
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- It’s easier to stay caught up than to play catch up.
- It’s better to be quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it. And some people are SO good at proving it.
- Always have a Plan B, and C, and D….
- You don’t have to tell everything you know.
- No one is guaranteed they’ll see tomorrow.
- Work isn’t everything.
- Pretty is as pretty does.
- Be aware of your surroundings. The name for people who don’t is “victim”.
- If you want something bad enough, you’ll work your butt off to get it and won’t give up.
- If it ain’t broke, sometimes you need to break it.
- Don’t forget to take your umbrella.
- It’s better to be prepared and not have needed something than to get caught without it.
- When your feet hurt you hurt all over.
- You can’t go wrong doing the right thing.
- Enjoy whatever stage you’re in now because it will pass faster than you realize.
- Try to live so that people will miss you when you’re gone.
- Look both ways before you cross the street. And then look again.
- If you want to remember something, write it down! Then don’t forget where you put the list.
- Trust your gut. It’s not called the second brain for nothing.
- Make up your own mind after examining all sides and facts.
- It’s easier to tell the truth than to try and remember a lie.
- Don’t put your feet or hands into places you can’t see. That’s how people get snake bitten.
- If you ever get the chance to go skinny dipping, take it.
- People who always have a book with them are never bored and are the least frustrated people in the waiting room.
- It never hurts you to do a good deed for someone else.
- Slow down! That five minutes you save by driving fast isn’t worth the possibility of taking someone’s life.
- If you live long enough life will kick the crap out of you. It’s how you cope that matters.
- When someone pays you a compliment simply smile and say, “Thank you.” Don’t start in telling them why you don’t deserve it.
- Chillax – whatever it is it’s not the end of the world.
- And a lyric from my favorite song, “If you spend too much time winning love then there’s no time to be kind.” The world would be much better off if we all spent more time being kind to others.
What wise women know about keeping house
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- Never make a trip to another room empty-handed.
- Do your yard work early in the morning when it’s cool.
- The best recipes start with “a pinch of….”
- You need to know how to cook something other than tuna casserole and fudge when you get married.
- Decide today what you’re going to cook tomorrow.
- Stock up on essentials before you need them. Don’t ever run out of things you use continually.
- Don’t keep items simply because you feel guilty about getting rid of them.
Wise women speak share fashion and beauty advice
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- If you’re really smart (witty, good-looking, whatever) you don’t need to tell others about it. They’ll know it when they see it.
- Don’t forget to moisturize your neck. It’s the first place that will show your age.
- Youth and age both have their own kind of beauty.
- Class never goes out of style.
- A pair of diamond studs and a pearl necklace are always appropriate and never go out of fashion.
- Don’t bite your nails.
- No matter how trendy something is, if you’re uncomfortable in it you won’t look good.
- Toss out the old fashion rules. You can wear white after Labor Day or have long hair after you’re thirty – who really cares anyway?
- Not everyone looks good in black. It makes some people look sick….or dead.
- There’s no sense in pointing out your flaws to others who may not have even noticed them.
Wise women know a thing or two about other people
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- Most likely you’ll be widowed some day – you need girlfriends.
- Older people are still the same on the inside.
- Treat people the way you want to be treated.
- Stand up for the underdog – they’re the ones who need it most.
- Raise your sons to be good men and your daughters-in-law will thank you.
- You’ll miss people when they’re gone.
- People who are going to talk about you are going to do it no matter what. Forget about trying to win them over because you won’t.
- Some people won’t like you no matter what you do.
- You don’t have to like everyone but you can still be civil.
- Just because someone says something doesn’t make it true. This includes your mother, your teacher, your preacher, and your best friend.
- Usually the less people know the more they want to prove that they do.
- Don’t have a baby because you think that it will love you. Have a baby only if you’re prepared to love it whether it ever loves you back or not.
- There’s a reason they say don’t talk about politics or religion.
- Sometimes you really don’t want to know what other people are thinking.
- Your friends can get you pregnant faster than your husband can. Have you ever noticed how pregnancies come in waves? Obviously none of us is immune to peer pressure.
- Enjoy people when you’re with them. And turn the damn phone off and actually talk to them.
- You wouldn’t worry so much about what other people thought of you if you realized how infrequently they actually do.
- Just because a person has an item doesn’t mean they want to start a collection.
- No matter how old you get, your mother still sees you as her baby. And that’s not a bad thing.
What wise women can teach us about men
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- The right man won’t be threatened by your brains.
- Don’t put up with any man who doesn’t treat you well.
- You can tell how a man will treat you by watching the way he treats his mother.
- Don’t date someone you wouldn’t be proud to be married to.
- Men don’t like to be nagged.
- The fastest way to get a man to do something you want is for you to get out the tools and start. He’ll be convinced you need help and he’ll step in and “help” you with the project.
- If a man hits you once he’ll hit you again. Get away from him and be damn sure not to marry him!
There will be more lessons (if I’m lucky). One thing we can be sure about is that new experiences will provide new things for us to learn.
I don’t claim to know everything. In fact, most days I can’t even claim to know very much. But I do believe that as women we have the power to teach others, and that by doing so, we can change the world.
What have you learned from a wise woman?
I help older women get past their fear and mindset issues so they can create a plan to pursue their goals and dreams.
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com
Wow! You’ve really covered it all here Shelley! Thank you! Not only is your list made up of wise statements–they are also very SMART!
Shelley Merchant
We’ve all got those smart and wise women around us – thank goodness! I hope you’ll visit again soon, Kathy.
Kristi McAllister
Great list! I’m sure we all have women in our lives who teach us things of wisdom on a daily basis! I agree that we need girlfriends (esp if we are going to be widowed someday), that we need an education so we don’t have to be dependent on a man ever (been there, done that, now a full time student!), that politics and religion should always be off the table (egads, really!), and that pretty is as pretty does in a true statement! Thanks for sharing!
Shelley Merchant
Thanks for visiting, Kristi. I think all of us have benefited from the wise women around us.
Victoria
I am a talker and run around with my foot in my mouth from this habit more times than I would like to admit. One of the things that my grandmother was always saying to me was “A closed mouth is the easiest mended”. I have to remind myself of this often.
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That’s a good one! My problem is that I am sometimes too honest for my own good and it gets me in trouble. I am finally learning to ask if someone wants my opinion before I give it. I know good and well I should have leaned to keep my opinions to myself a long time ago, but better late than never.
Jennie @ The Housewife Modern
Love these! A lot of good advice. I’ve decided to start following one of your suggestion- never walk from one room to another empty-handed. God knows I always have stuff that needs moved or put away!
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Hi Jennie! That particular rule was my grandmothers. She kept the neatest house – it was NEVER cluttered. She said that was her secret. She never made a trip to another room without taking something that was out of place. Funny how smart our grandmothers are! Thanks so much for visiting.
1010ParkPlace
Just when I think I need to remember to tell you how great one of your gems is, I find another one! This is such a great primer for life! It sounds like something you’d hear from a woman… Brava! I must race off to share this now! Brenda
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Thank you, Brenda! That’s very kind of you to say.
Jennifer Dunham
This is such an awesome post! It is so great to pause sometimes to reflect on some of the life lessons we have learned from others along the way.
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Thank you, Jennifer! I suspect that all of us have been blessed by the wise women in our lives and that we’re better because of them. I hope you’ll come visit again soon.
Julie Jo Severson
Wow! That’s a lot of wisdom. I will practice #7 today. I could hug you for including #32. We forget that about the elderly, and I’m a huge advocate of that way of thought. #90–ha, yeah. I flaunt my flaws too much. Amen to #91.
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#7 may have been my Nana’s favorite. I think it’s how she kept her house so clutter-free and picked up all the time. Thanks for coming to visit – I hope you’ll come back soon.
Julie Christiansen
This is an awesome list! It makes want to sit down and jot down the things my own mom (and others) have said to me. Maybe I’ll share it with her for Mother’s Day. Great ideas! Thanks for sharing at MY Busy Beehives #beeparty this week!
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I can’t think of a nicer Mother’s Day gift!
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle
Shelly, this popular post is going to be featured on the Blogger’s Pit Stop. Congratulations, be looking for the feature on Friday.
Kathleen
The Blogger’s Pit Stop
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Kathleen and Janice – I am extremely flattered! I enjoy your party each week and am thrilled to be featured.
Janice | MostlyBlogging
This post won Blogger’s Pit Stop! Congrats!
Janice
Janice | MostlyBlogging
Hi Shelley,
Talk about a mega post! 91! Well done! I have a post on mega posts soon. Maybe you can give me a testimonial. Is it getting you more traffic than usual?
Thanks for bringing your post to the Blogger’s Pit Stop last week.
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
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You know, I really wasn’t thinking about this post in terms of being a “mega post” or anything like that. I simply wanted to pass on some of the things that I’ve learned from the women who influenced me growing up (and some who influence me in the present day). The post has gotten a fair amount of traffic which I’m grateful for and frankly, a little surprised by. I’m thrilled to be featured at Blogger’s Pit Stop – thank you!
Laurie
Shelley, I enjoyed the list! Many (or variations of them) are so familiar. One that my mom used to say all the time is: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
Thanks for sharing!
~Laurie
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Most of us have been lucky to have been surrounded by wise women in our lives. My regret is that I didn’t always appreciate their wisdom till I got to be a little older myself. But I guess that’s the story for most women – we have to grow up before we can recognize the truth and wisdom of those around us. Thanks so much for visiting!
mysideof50
18, 20, 39 & 45 – really all of them! You’ve learned a lot. Thanks for the reminders!!!!
Pennie Nichols
Number 7! (Really, several of the numbers but that one especially)
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Hi Pennie! I think that #7 is how my grandmother kept such an immaculate house. I’ve tried to teach it to the people who live in my own house but they have resisted – imagine that! Please come see me again soon.
Renee
The list awesome! but number one is my favorite. My Mom said a form of this and I said it to mu kids and now my grands… “Don’t worry what anyone one else is doing or saying until you are perfect…when you are, then you can tell them how to be…you will never be perfect so you don’t need to worry about anyone but yourself.” Just said this to my grandson the other day…
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Hi Renee. It’s funny how we look up one day and hear our mother’s words coming out of our mouths, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by and please come back soon.
Walker Thornton
Excellent suggestions in your list.
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Thanks Walker! I’m glad you stopped by and hope you’ll come back soon.
Roxanne Jones
You are one smart woman–who had the good fortune to know a lot of other smart women! Great compilation. Thank you!
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I have definitely been fortunate to have been surrounded by wise women my whole life. It’s probably why I believe that women hold the wisdom of the world and have a duty to share it with others. That probably sounds corny, but I really do believe it.
Musings, Rants & Scribbles
Love all these. Wisdom for the ages.
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I’m hoping that one day my own daughter will include me in the list of women whom she considers gave good advice. I’ve probably got a few years before that happens though. Thanks for stopping by.