Growing
up like any other child I was taught a lot of things, some were taught forcibly
and some I picked up consciously and unconsciously. A lot of these things are a
part of who I am today. These lessons shaped me, made be better,
made me wiser and may be miser but I am grateful to each and everything that
they taught me. So many lessons from so many chapters of my childhood, each
different but each paved a new way for me. I have tried to summarize a few that
I think are the most important things my parents have taught me.
1)
Independence: Since as long as I can remember, I remember being independent. I don’t
remember anyone telling us to be independent, we were independent. Even during my early childhood
I remember doing all my chores on my own. There were times when I hated doing
it but for some reason I never thought there was anyone else who would do it
for me. And not only physical or financial independence, my parents taught me
to be emotionally free. To not be dependent on anyone for any kind of support
even in my toughest days. I will confess that I am not as independent
emotionally as I was earlier; I tend to depend a lot on my better half but that
is only because I can.
2) Hard
work: There was never a short cut for hard work for me growing up. Any short
cuts were noticed and we were made to do things again. So I learned hard work
and I soon enough realised I was the type who needed hard work. However I do think now that hard work has to
be clubbed with smart work but every time I take a short cut even now I could
sense my mom looking at me with a not so happy look.
3)
Fun: We were a house full of non sense. In our daily life there was so much fun
and drama that we never needed television. There were numerous hours of fun and
games. No restrictions and no forced timetable.
4)
Accountability: We were accountable for our own actions. I remember my mother
checking my bag and asking me to do the homework but that’s about it. I do not
remember her running after me for anything. We were responsible for our things.
I do remember a lot of times not doing the homework and then getting wacked in school but that
taught me to be accountable for my own actions.
5)
Speak your mind: Three of us [Me, My bro and My sis] were always asked to speak
freely, ask questions. Questions were our best friend. We were never scared to
speak our mind in front of anyone. This continues even now, I wear my heart on
my sleeves and I am not scared to speak my mind. It does back fire sometimes but I can’t mince my words and I don’t
see the need also.
6)
Listen: As much as speaking your mind is important, it is also important to hear
others. There are times when you do have to shut up and let others speak. I
have a very patient ear and the credit goes to my parents. We were encouraged
to debate a lot and one of the traits of a good debate is to listen to the
other point of view; with an open ear and mind.
7) Budgeting:
Like every child we also had pocket money; till we grew up.But along with that
we were also exposed to prices of different things. I knew the price of
everything I wanted and I would save and purchase. It not only gave me immense
thrill and pleasure; it also taught me financing and value of money.
These
are a few important things that my parents taught me and I hope I am able to
pass them on to my children. What are the things that you were taught? Which
one affected you most?
I am taking part in The Write Tribe Festival of Words 1st - 7th September 2013. This is my second post written for it..