How My Mom Makes Everyone Around Her Better

How My Mom Makes Everyone Around Her Better

By Leo Babauta

My mom just left our house after visiting for a week, and once again, our lives were changed.

She visits us about twice a year, and every time she does, she leaves us with a new hobby(ˈhäbē), a new passion(ˈpaSHən), a better version of ourselves.

My mom (Shannon(ˈSHanən) Murphy(mərfi))) makes everyone around her better, and yet most people whose lives she changes don’t even realize(ˈrē(ə)ˌlīz) it.

So what’s her secret(ˈsēkrit)? I honestly(ˈänəstlē) wish I knew her special recipe(ˈresəˌpē), but I’m going to do my best to share what I know with all of you. It’s amazing, honestly.

…

I could go on and on with examples, but I’d like to distill(disˈtil) the magic(ˈmajik) of my mom into a handful of ideas that I draw inspiration(ˌinspəˈrāSHən) from:

She inspires(inˈspīr) others to become interested in what she’s interested in, because of her excitement(ikˈsītmənt). Things just sound interesting, when she’s really interested.

She is genuinely(ˈjenyo͞oənlē) interested in what you have to say, and you feel like a good person, an interesting person, when she listens.

She encourages(inˈkərij) you to grow, to do something beyond your normal, without making you feel like you’re not already great(grāt). She’s encouraging without making you feel bad about yourself.

She’s accepting of who you are, not critical(ˈkritikəl). She’s kind. You don’t hear her badmouthing people, only feeling compassionate(kəmˈpaSHənət) for their difficulties.

She’s always looking to help people, without concern(kənˈsərn) about herself. That’s not to say she doesn’t look out for herself — she does — but it seems like she wants to help without needing to be repaid(rēˈpā), nor given credit(ˈkredit).

I’m not saying my mom is perfect. No one is, no one is a saint(sānt). But these are traits(trāt) in her that I admire(ədˈmī(ə)r), and constantly(ˈkänstəntlē) strive(strīv) to imitate. I don’t know if I’ll ever reach those heights, but I’m grateful(ˈgrātfəl) for her example. Thank you, mom.

https://zenhabits.net/mom/