[I was thinking lately of the various sayings, idioms, and phrases my mother uses that have most stuck with me now that I’m an adult. This week, I want to devote a day to each of her top five (in random order).]
It’s possible there are other things my mother says more, but this is the one that repeats itself most frequently in my head; this is the one that speaks to me most clearly and purposefully.
In short, there may be a million things a day that set you off, but if you allow yourself to react to all of them, you will go crazy. Choose what matters.
As a stern, task-master of an older sister, Young Helena heard this a lot. My sister knew how to set me off, and I’d eventually turn to my mother for a favorable resolution to our squabbles.
KERRY ISN’T PLAYING CORRECTLY!
Choose your battles.
It’s worth noting that “choose your battles” is the most-frequent advice my mother gives to mothers of toddlers.
Now, “choose your battles” applies in dealing with other people who don’t see things my way or dealing with the stern task-master still residing in my head. I can’t go to war for every little thing, so if I’m going to get worked up, it better be over something important. The rest can fall away.