When I talked about courage earlier this month, I mentioned one of the biggest lessons I learned from my dad: facing fear and choosing to move forward anyway. That got me thinking about the lessons I learned from my mom. Hers are the kind that show up in quieter, everyday ways, but still shape how I move through the world.
The Importance of Joy.
That picture is of my mom on the ski slopes, joy on her face. She loved downhill skiing and made it part of our family life.
But it wasn’t just about skiing.
It was about learning.
She showed us how to manage time (homework first = more time on the hill), how to cooperate (help each other = get there faster), and how to stay committed to the things that make you feel most alive.
To this day, skiing resets me.
It fills my cup, and when my cup’s full, it spills over into everything else I do, including work.
Now and then, I meet people who shrug off joy like it’s a luxury.
Some don’t believe they deserve it (that breaks my heart).
Others are waiting for life to just drop joy in their lap.
Here’s what I’ve learned: If you’re not looking for joy, you’ll miss it when it shows up.
So schedule the people and activities that fill your tank.
Silliness is Serious Business!
My mom taught me the magic of being silly. Random songs about life. Funny voices. Laughing until your sides hurt.
It’s not only fun, it’s medicine for the soul.
Silliness makes the hard days manageable. It turns stress into shared laughter. It gives you room to breathe, to release, to feel human again.
In my life? Silliness is non-negotiable.
Effort Matters.
Joy and laughter don’t just show up. You have to work for them and on them.
Life and career both require real effort. When you look back, your hard work makes the wins even sweeter.
Or as Marvin Phillips said: “The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.”
I hope this gets you thinking: What lessons are you carrying with you that shape how you show up today?
All my best,
Lynn