The Best Lesson From Mom

lewopschall
May 10, 2015
2 min read

All kids like to gloat their parents are the best. Well let me tell you something, Momma Wop is THE best. I honestly don’t know anybody who gives so much to others so freely. That’s what moms do though, right? They are givers, nurturers, teachers, and lovers.

So much of who I am is because of my mom. As I reflect today, there is one characteristic she instilled in me that stands out. My mom gave me confidence. Over and over I’d get lectured about how I needed to stand strong in my beliefs. She told me people would disagree with me, some would judge me and that others might even hate me. To be better than those people she told me I’d need to keep my head held high staying strong in my convictions. Because, as Taylor Swift so eloquently said, “The haters are gonna hate.”

The confidence she gave me also inspired self-worth. I believed in being a caring, loving person and I was worthy of being treated in the same fashion by others. This belief system helped me a great deal as I began dating in high school. Never was I going to put up with a guy who wasn’t going to treat me with respect, because I respected myself. My mom would tell me guys found girls like this, full of confidence, attractive. And… she was right! She always is.

(Mom and I at the National Charity League Annual Tea in 2007 when I modeled the debutante dress.)

Confidence has gotten me a lot more than just a few dates to prom. It’s helped me navigate life. When I have to make a big decision I do so with certainty because I know that I made the decision methodically. My confidence also comes with humility. I know I am not perfect, I have a lot of flaws. Those flaws are part of me. They make up who I am, and I love that person because my mom taught me how.