1. How to Be a Good Mother

One of the most valuable life lessons I've learned from my mom is how to be a good mother. She was am amazing single mom for a few years and during that time she was able to take care of me without receiving help from anyone. Even though I was too young to see it at the time, I know there were many things she went without so she could provide me with the things I needed. She has always been there anytime that I have needed her. She feels that as long as she has a home, so will her children, regardless of how old they are or what is happening in their lives.

2. Don't Take Part in Gossip

As a teacher, my mom is frequently in situations where she can catch up on the latest gossip, but she doesn't. She believes that gossiping is only setting yourself up for trouble. Instead of eating her lunch in the teachers' lounge at work, she enjoys her lunch alone in her classroom. When she is around people who are gossiping about someone, my mom is also quick to change the subject. If that's not possible, she tries hard to point out some of the positive qualities the person has.

3. Patience

I really admire how patient my mother is. I have never known anyone who has as much patience with things or people as she does. In situations where most people would yell and scream, my mom stays calm. I can honestly say that I have never heard her raise her voice to anyone. Perhaps she waits until I am not around. I hope that someday I can have as much patience as my mom does.

4. Don't Borrow Trouble

I am someone who tends to worry about everything, but not my mom. She feels that there is no need to borrow trouble by worrying about things that you can't control. While you can plan for the future, you can't control it. There is no need to sit and worry about what is going to happen or how someone is going to react to a particular situation. Instead, be happy and live for today.

5. Pursue Your Dreams

Once my brother and I were both in school, my mother decided to go back to school herself. This gave her the chance to pursue her own dream of becoming a teacher. She was able to go to school, work, and still find the time to be there whenever we needed her. I am very proud of my mom for being able to achieve her dream. She is an amazing teacher and encourages others, including me to purse their dreams.

6. Don't Envy Others

My mom grew up in a family where there were 9 children, so they didn't have a lot of material things, but that hasn't seemed to bother her. She has always told me to never envy what other people have. There will always be people who have more than you in life, but there will also be those who have less. She has made me see that we're all equal and no one is better than you, even if they have lots of money. You should always remember that the person you are envying may actually be very unhappy. Your life can be much better if you simply enjoy the things you have, instead of worrying about what you don't have.

7. Don't Worry about What Others Think

Worrying about what other people think about me is something that I've always struggled with, but not my mom. She doesn't really worry about what others think about her. She is comfortable with who she is and what she does. My mom also thinks that what she does is not anyone's business. She feels that if they're worrying about her, they have way to much time on their hands.

So many different people can provide us with both inspiration and valuable life lessons. It can be a parent, a grandparent, a friend, or a total stranger. Who has inspired you or influenced your life? I can't wait to hear your wonderful stories.