A Few Things My Grandkids Should Know by Mel Feller

Mel Feller

What words of wisdom can I give this younger generation, my grandchildren? What life lessons can I tell them that will make their lives happier, more meaningful and more purposeful?

Some of my thoughts include the items I have listed here.

I Want my Grandkids to Live Life on Their Own Terms

The reason being they each of us has special gifts and talents, so embrace everything that is unique about you. As you grow up, you will come to know these talents and you will develop passions – a life purpose and goals that you want to accomplish. If you want to be a painter, then paint. If you want to be a teacher, then teach. If you want to be an entrepreneur, that do that. Decide what is important to you and do it.

I Want my Grandkids to Always Use Their Best Efforts in all They do

Whatever my grandkids decide to do, it is important that you put your whole self into it. Do not hold back on love, relationships, work and involvement in your community or vocations. Give it your all. Take the brakes off and embrace your life and all that you do. You will find that it makes life so much more fun and you will get so much more out of it.

I Want my Grandkids to Understand That No Matter What Happens to Them, They MUST Take Responsibility for It

Even if it was not your fault. Especially if it was not your fault, take responsibility for fixing it. Life has a way of bringing all of us a great deal of happiness, but it also has a way of hurting us.

No matter what has happened, it is up to you to resolve it. It is up to you to envision what should occur next and to put a plan in place to make it happen.

If you take responsibility and control, you will imagine new possibilities and design something that you do want for yourself. You will take yourself out of the past and move yourself to a better place. This will make a profound difference in your life. You will be happier with your opportunities, your support systems and your environment.

I Want my Grandkids to Be a Lifelong Learners

Always be open to learning new things. Be curious about the people, the experiences, the events and discoveries taking place in the present as well as those things that we can learn from the past. Decide to continually understand the world around you and expand your thinking and ways of doing things.

Take classes, attend lectures, read books, hang out with others who are interested in what you are. Be engaged. You will find that your life is more interesting, you will have greater opportunities and you will never ever be bored.

I Want my Grandkids to Know There are Beautiful People Everywhere

I have moved a couple of times in my life to different places. There was always a sense of sadness when I left the familiar and replaced it with the unfamiliar. It was hard saying goodbye to friends, acquaintances and support systems. It was challenging to start fresh and to meet new people.

I have learned that there are amazing people everywhere you go. People who will inspire you and with whom you will develop a close friendship. You will find people who you will love and who will love you. There are wonderful people no matter where you go. In addition, when you develop a friendship with them, it will feel like you have always known them.

There will be some people who will take some time to get to know, and others that you will be good friends with right from the start.

I Want my Grandkids to Know That Feelings Are Mutual

Someone starts to like you at the same exact moment in time that you start liking him or her.

A relationship is emotional and the feeling starts with you. It is uncanny. Something happens when you like someone. You lean into them, and you listen to them and care about them. You give the relationship energy and spirit.

I find that the moment when I warm to someone, the feeling is returned. The relationship may develop into a strong friendship or remain an acquaintance, but the feelings of mutual affection and respect will be there.

By the way, the opposite is true. Someone starts to dislike you the moment you start to lose patience with him or her or to lose interest in him or her. The whole vibration of the relationship changes and things get strained.

So, do not wait for someone else to make the first move. If you like someone, be engaged, show that you are interested and stay open to wherever the relationship brings you.

I want My Grandkids to Always Expect the Best

I want my grandkids to say yes to life and to always be open to new experiences. You may not always get what you want, but you will generally get what you expect.

I want My Grandkids to Laugh Often

Have a great sense of humor. Laughing has a healing effect on you both mentally and physically. We create so many of our problems by taking it all too seriously. Move through this life lightly, take care of yourself, create the life that you treasure and just laugh.

I want my Grandkids to Make the World a Better Place

There is so much prejudice, criticism and judgment in this world. Never do anything to add to this negativity. Use your natural gifts and talents to make the world a better place.

It is really a beautiful life – live it!

I did not even get a chance to talk about art, music, sports, hobbies, friendship, and love: all the pursuits that make life worth living. However, that is okay. No worries. We will have plenty of time to discuss those topics later. For now, here is all you need to know: Life is a journey. The destination is not important. The road trip itself matters.