Pick Your Battles

So many memories flood my mind when I think of my mom. She was an amazing listener and always had excellent advice. One tid bit of advice I will remember forever and always is “pick your battles”.

When I was frustrated, angry, stressed or just plain grouchy, she would listen to my complaints. Sometimes I would be so worked up, my insides felt like they might explode. However, my mom always said the right words; calming my mind and heart.

“Pick your battles,” she would calmly say. “Is that really worth being upset over?”

Of course, I would listen because she is my mom. Next, came the hard part. I would have to bite my lip and repeat over and over, “My Mom said pick your battles. Pick your battles. Is this really a battle I want to pick?” I tend to repeat this phrase to myself as I am convincing myself not to pick a battle.

So, when I am at work or home, I work tirelessly to pick my battles. With my kids, my students, my colleagues, I try to keep everything in perspective and pick my battles. Thanks for the excellent advice, Mom.