Hello, Dear Friend,

As we find ourselves on the eve of Mother's Day, it seems only fitting to dedicate this newsletter to my mom, a woman whose influence on my personal growth has been immeasurable. I could fill an entire book (and then some) with her impact on my life, but today, I'll share six key lessons she's taught me.

These pearls of wisdom have shaped the person I am today, and I hope they can benefit you, too.

You see, I won what I like to call the "mom lottery." Out of all the different kinds of mothers I could have had, I was fortunate to be raised by a woman who is kind, charitable, intelligent, and loving. She is my #1 fan, always supporting my dreams and aspirations. She believes in me, even when I struggle to believe in myself.

The high standards she holds me to have been challenging at times, but the joy of making her proud is an incomparable feeling.

Now, let's dig into just a few of the personal growth lessons I've gleaned from my mom. Each of these lessons has become integral to who I am today.

6 Personal Growth Lessons From Mom

1. Embrace Charity

My mom is probably the most charitable person I know. She instilled in me the value of service from a young age, opening my eyes to the rewards of helping others. I encourage you to find ways to serve in your own life. The feeling of fulfillment it brings is truly profound.

And a side benefit of serving others: you end up with SO many friends. My mom has such a strong social group. It turns out when you are constantly helping everyone you meet, you develop a lot of great relationships.

2. Go The “Extra Mile”

When I was a teenager, around the age that I became obsessed with running, my mom always emphasized the importance of going above and beyond. By pushing myself to always go the extra mile, I've learned that the rewards may not always be immediate, but they always come eventually.

Forcing yourself to go the “extra mile“ is one of the surest paths to escape mediocrity.

3. Share Your Talents

My mom has played the piano her entire life, filling our home with beautiful music. Her musical talent inspired me to explore my own creative outlets, leading to memorable roles in high school musicals, singing in the chamber choir, and even learning how to beatbox.

Music is a powerful thing. It can bring peace when we feel turmoil, and it can bring energy when we feel apathy. I am fortunate to have learned an appreciation for music from a young age because it has certainly shaped the person I am today.

And if my mom hadn’t developed and shared her talents, I don’t think I would have developed an appreciation for music, as I have today.

So, given the opportunity, especially at church, I try to sing. Even though it might feel a bit awkward or nerve-wracking to sing in front of others, I know that by singing, I can make people feel better.

4. Eat The Rainbow

A colorful plate at meal times was a norm in our house, a simple but effective lesson in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When your plate always has a lot of (natural) color on it, and you are varying the foods that you eat, you are essentially guaranteeing that you will always get a good balance of vitamins and minerals.

Think about the last few meals you ate… there were probably just a few different shades of brown, huh? Just some food for thought (pun intended).

5. Prepare For The Future

If there's an apocalypse tomorrow, my mom will be ready! She's taught me the importance of forward-thinking and preparedness. If the power were to be knocked out and all food were to disappear from the shelves, my mom’s life at home would barely be impacted.

There is a special kind of freedom and independence you gain when you know you can meet your own needs no matter what happens in the future.

Once I am ready to settle down in one place, I’ve committed to making my property “off the grid” and largely self-sustaining.

6. Read More Books

so fortunate to have grown up in a home filled with books and a love for reading. Growing up in a home that celebrated reading fueled my love for books and continuous learning. When other kids were playing video games and watching TV, my siblings and I were probably reading a book.

The books I’ve read have truly shaped my intellect and approach to life.

Bonus: Have Lots of Kids

I'm the 8th out of 9 kids. My mom planned to stop having kids after 5. If she had, I wouldn't be here today. The chances of me even existing are so unbelievably low that it would be a shame for me not to make the most of my life.

My mom's wisdom and love have shaped me in countless ways. Her lessons of charity, diligence, sharing talents, maintaining health, preparing for the future, and embracing reading have been invaluable. I hope these lessons resonate with you, reminding you of your own mother's wisdom, or inspiring you as a parent

As we celebrate mothers and mother-figures tomorrow, remember the lessons they've imparted and the love they've shared. Let's honor them not only by remembering but also by applying their wisdom in our lives. Thank you for joining me on this journey today.

Until next time, my friend, continue to grow, learn, and embrace the wisdom of those who love you.

All the best,

- Cliff