Words To Live By
We all have our own Words To Live By. The world is full of inspirational sayings, lyrics, poetry and scriptures.
I enjoy quoting things to my grandchildren. I remember certain words of wisdom from my own grandparents.
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My maternal grandmother used to say, “Pretty is as pretty does.”
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My paternal grandmother would often say, “If you don’t start nothing, there won’t be nothing!” I have been known to repeat the later to my husband on occasion. (smiling big because there may have been a time or two when he said it to me)
I started telling my oldest grandson, when he was just a toddler, that “hugs are what make the world go around“. When he went to kindergarten, we had to tell him not to hug the girls! He is almost 15 now, again I’m telling him not to hug the girls. Choose your ‘words of wisdom’ carefully.
There is a huge trend on social media for people to share quips and quotes all cutesied up. We are a kindred sprit. the world is a small place, isn’t it.
If I asked you to ponder for a moment what one of your favorite songs is, you could likely start singing the chorus in your head. Is it the beat of the music that makes it your favorite or is it the connection you make with those words?
When you think of Graduation songs, do you think of Pomp and Circumstance or do you think of Lee Ann Womack’s I Hope You Dance?
Is it the beat of the music that makes it your favorite or is it the connection you make with those words?
When I was in the 7th grade (eons ago), a classmate recited a poem which I have never forgotten. The poem is entitled “Myself” by Edgar Guest. I have shared it in entirety on my About Me page here. It was the first two sentences of the poem that stuck with me the most;
I have to live with myself and so,
I want to be fit for myself to know.
That sort of reminds me of what my Grandma would tell me, Pretty is as pretty does.
I also enjoy the lyrics in The Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson
Hi Shirley,
I’ve heard the “pretty is as pretty does” and the one about frog’s wings…
I ran across a quote when my oldest boys were beginning school and I used it for copy work (and was hoping it would stick too!): “A place for every thing, and everything in its place. I always put my things away, so I can find them another day.”
I loved this post, Shirley. Thanks for sharing.
Oh I got so many of them; I really do not know what to pick! I will pick one of my favorite verses: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Amen!.
Yet another wonderful scripture, Zan! There are so many, it is hard to choose just one. Romans 8:28 has been the one I refer to most because no matter what happens, good or bad, I know God will work it out in a way that is best for me.
I love “Pretty is as Pretty does.” My great-grandmother used to tell us that when we were misbehaving or complaining about our cousins being mean to us!!
I went to a seminar many years ago and one of the phrases that really appealed to me was, “If it’s going to be, then it’s up to me.” I found it really inspirational until I realized that it also applied to house cleaning, paperwork, and budgeting.
My husband doesn’t like it when I say anything that includes the words “what if.” He always says, “What if a frog had wings? It wouldn’t bump it’s butt when it hops.” I have NO earthly idea where he learned that or why I feel the urge to stick my tongue out at him when he says it!!
I’ve never heard the one about the frog before but I must say, that is funny! All these years, I never knew so many Grandma’s were out there saying “Pretty is As Pretty Does”. It makes my heart feel warm especially knowing that I say it to my grandchildren too. I love tradition 🙂
Oh, I love quotes like these! Thank you for sharing, Shirley!
So glad you stopped by and enjoyed reading them Kristen.
Your Grandma very wise, I love it. Sure true, Pretty is as pretty does. I also love Bambi’s quote – “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” Wish I would always remember it before speaking. “Start with what you know” is another one that I find helpful.
Anna, I’ve heard that statement too, “Start with what you know.” That is good advice when overwhelmed. All good stuff!
Thumper’s Day was a wise rabbit!
I am always telling my children, “Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.” Great quotes – love wisdom from grandparents!
Amy, I say that to my children and grandchildren. That is a good quote. Love it!
I enjoyed getting to know you a little better through this post! Thank you for sharing.
My favorite bible verse is: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Blessings to you and yours,
Shirley
http://www.lightlovehope.com
It’s nice to meet another ‘Shirley’ 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. That is another wonderful verse with promise of a positive future from our Lord and Savior. Thank you for sharing with us.
My favorite is a silly one but also an inside joke of sorts with my best girl friends –
Always be yourself – unless you can be Glinda – then always be Glinda.
Glinda the the good witch.
I LOVE that MJ! When my husband and I were shopping for sofa’s a few years ago we were struck by all of the floral fabrics out there. (not that anything is wrong with floral fabric) We now say to one another from time to time, Let’s not settle for the floral! Life is good, inside jokes are great!
My favorite Bible verse is Matthew 6:33 – “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” It reminds me to always keep God first place in my life.
I love all the little quirky things my grandparents used to say and I wish I could remember them all!
One of my favorite quotes is from Bambi – “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”
Loved your post today, Shirley!
I like that quote from Bambi also, Alli. We have to remind ourselves of that sometimes in this ‘anything goes’ world.
My grandmother once told me to never go barefoot in front of my husband, now that is what I call quirky! I still don’t know why!
Your favorite verse is a good one! We all need to remember to put God first and everything else will fall into place.