My Mommy.
Not sure where to start, or where I’m going with this post exactly, but wanted to share.
My mom grew up on the Big Island, and moved to Oahu shortly before I was born. I am my mom’s only child, and she raised me as a single parent.
I was having a discussion with a friend and he asked me how I think I came to be the person I am today. My answer: my mom. This may sound cliche, but it is real. Aside from the sacrifices, that shouldn’t be minimized, but there are also forward-thinking things that my high school educated mom poured into me.
The next things that I’m about to share may sound minuscule, but hear me out.
Scenario #1
My mom is the one who will always keep pushing to make sure that Macy’s didn’t charge her the wrong price. She will be ready with coupon in hand, and shopping on a labor day sale. And when I say about making sure she didn’t get charge the wrong price, she’s not pushy about it either. She will make friends with the cashier, ask questions, and next thing you know, we are purchasing “x” at sale price with the coupon plus some added something that I didn’t even know existed to get a steal of a price.
This type of situation modeled multiple things for me. One: ask questions. Two: make friends. Three: how to be frugal/resourceful. Four: stretching my mind to think more creatively.
Scenario #2
Often times when I have applied for scholarships or a job, there may be something that doesn’t quite line up according to my particular situation. For example, perhaps the job would start three weeks prior to what I am looking for. In situations like these, my mom would always push me to just apply. She pushes my brain to think about different alternatives to make “x” work. If this, then that, but if not this, then that.
So, what does all this mean?
I think these have taught me to keep pushing to a deeper meaning of life. There is definitely more to life than just paying bills. Sure I may have a degree in “x,” but stretching my mind to use my educational background to do things that I want to do and following that yearning is all about enjoying that journey.