5 Helpful Lessons I Learned From My Family

All the time apart during the pandemic has given me a new appreciation for my family. Every year it becomes more apparent to me how blessed I am to be a part of a large, loud Swedish hoard. To have traditions and community and someone there for you no matter what. Maybe pregnancy made me sentimental, but whatever the case, below are 5 Helpful Lessons I Learned From My Family. What life lessons has your family taught you?

1. Be proud to be who you are.

“There are two things you can’t control. How tall you are, and how darn good lookin’ you are. The Anderson family is cursed with both.”

My cousin Brian said this to me when I was in high school, and it stuck with me ever since. I come from a very tall family. At 5’11” I am the shortest one in my immediate family. Well, except for my sweet husband. My height used to make me very self-conscious. In eighth grade I was already taller then everyone in my class, and it took awhile for the other kids to catch up. It took several years, but I now think of my height as an asset, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of my large family. Brian taught me to be proud of exactly who I am, and for that lesson I will be forever grateful.

2. God comes first.

“Go with God.”

My Grandma Pat used to say this to me every time I would leave her house or hang up the phone. It was like her official sign-off. It always reminded me of a verse in Exodus 33:15 in which Moses says to God, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” If God is not with you, then what’s the point of continuing forward? I’m so thankful my grandparents taught me to carry my faith with me always, and to go with God no matter what my circumstance. Of all the lessons I have learned, this is the most important.

3. Appreciate the art of a good laugh.

“He don’t make me laugh.”

Honestly, there are about a million lessons my mother has taught me. I could spend all day writing about her. However, one of my favorite lessons is appreciating the art of a good laugh. My mother and I were once talking about a boy I dated and she said, “He don’t make me laugh.” A simple statement, but important. My husband is the exact opposite. He makes me laugh every day! You need to be able to have fun with your significant other. My mother knew how important this attribute was to me and my family. I’m so glad to have a husband who understands my humor. He does make me laugh.

4. Challenges are meant to grow us.

“He never gives us a mountain we can’t climb.”

My dad is a man of very few words. If you have met him, you will understand what I mean. Whenever I am having a difficult time, he always reminds me that God never gives me more than I can handle. It’s a good reminder for me, because I tend to get lost in the weeds of the problems I face. My dad’s prompting brings me back to the simple fact that God is in control. My Heavenly Father allows challenges in order to help me grow.

5. Being present is what is most important.

“You show up for family.”

My little sister and I often talk about how important it is to cherish and be there for family. It’s one of our founding beliefs in a way. However, both of my siblings have taught me this lesson at different moments in my life. Being present is most important. The best thing you can do for someone else to show your love is to be there for them when they need you, and maybe even when you don’t.

For example, when I was in third grade, my brother (who was 18 at the time) came to my concert. I was so thrilled about his presence I wrote about it in my diary. Another example would be my mom and siblings coming to have lunch with me on my birthday. See what an impact showing up can make? Of all the lessons I have learned, this may the most simple, but it is certainly powerful.

Thank you for taking the time to read the 5 Helpful Lessons I Learned From My Family. Be sure to subscribe for updates on new content, and check out other posts such as:

28 Things I Have Learned in 28 Years
6 Books You Should Definitely Re-Read in 2020
10 New Practices That Will Revolutionize 2020
10 Ways to Celebrate Family Fun Month

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Love Always,