6 Profound Lessons From My Mom #InternationalWomensDay

On #InternationalWomensDay I am remind of all of the amazing women that I have had the good fortune to know and work with in my life.

I could write an near endless post on everything I have learned from them, but one has had the most impact on my life.

My mom.

She has given me the best life lessons and advice. I thought I would share some of her wisdom that I work to apply every day in my own life with you all.

1.  Learn from everyone - It doesn't matter how alike or how different you are from someone. We all have valuable life experience and taking a minute to care about someone else's can help you learn so many unexpected things.

2. The measure of a person or a society is how they choose to help the people who need help most. - Basically, don't be selfish. We all have benefited from shared resources and shared systems. Give back and help others when they need it because others have helped you.

3. Respect everyone - You can disagree respectfully. Respect is the currency of people who seek progress. You don't know what someone has been through. Don't rush to judge them. Appreciate the things they are good at and respect them.

4. Be Open - Open always beats closed in the long-run. Be accepting. Be open other ideas even when you don’t understand or agree with them.

5. People Will Always Rise To Your Expectations - Don’t underestimate the ability of people. My mother once told me that one of the reasons that the Harry Potter books resonated so profoundly was JK Rowling expected more of her young readers than the authors of all of the other children and young adult books. Ask people to step up, they can do it.

6. Be Kind - Everyone matters. Everyone has their own baggage and life experiences that shape them but kindness equalizes everything. You have the power to turn around someone’s day, week or year with a few kind words or a kind gesture, take advantage of this power and be kind.