Knowing Yourself Is The Beginning of All Wisdom
Missed Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, or Part 6?
I would not be where I am today had it not been for the wonderful women in my life. My mom and sisters in particular have been such a great support system for me over the past 3 years as I went through many highs and many lows.
Just prior to my graduation, my mom sent me one of the most touching and memorable gifts that I have ever received.
She sent me a time capsule filled with memories and articles from my childhood. I was just shocked when I opened my gift to see a beautiful wooden, engraved memory box.
It reads: ‘Angela, Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.’
When I opened it up I found this poem:
She included her own high school graduation picture:
Isn’t she beautiful? :D
Inside the box are tons of pictures from when I was a child, all complete with captions of the date and who I was with. We lived in Georgia and Florida when I was ages 4-8.
We were so 80’s! This was my all time favourite outfit- a pink and black polka dot ensemble:
I’m sure I was wearing a snap bracelet to go along with my high top sneakers. ;)
Including a drawing of me when I was just 3-4 years old done by a local artist:
And Eric and I at our high school prom in 2000:
Everyone joked that we were getting married and not going to prom!
Well, 8 years later we did. ;)
There are tons of school assignments I did , including one from 1990 (man I feel old!!!) where I wrote 5 special things about myself:
They included:
- Everyone is special and different
- I am healthy when I get good sleep
- Parents and a dog that love me
- My sister who plays with me
I rocked long division (bahahah!)
But the best part of this entire capsule were the words that my mom wrote in it.
She wrote:
I know….just amazing!
I teared up when I brought it all out last night to read over again.
When I first read it, I didn’t really know how to apply it to my current situation. I felt stuck in a job where I was unhappy and I felt like I was destined to do work that I didn’t really enjoy. Perhaps, this letter planted the seed for me though.
Reading it over last night, everything sort of clicked for me.
Over the past 8 months, I have learned these lessons. I have learned that money doesn’t bring happiness and it sure as hell won’t give you self-esteem or character. I have learned that being true to myself is possibly one of the most beneficial things that I could ever achieve. I have learned that if you do something you love and are passionate about, the money will eventually follow.
I used to be this guarded person who was afraid to open up. I was shown time and time again that being a sensitive person, especially in the workplace, was strongly discouraged. I was to be a brick wall, tough, and hard. But that isn’t me and I felt a huge internal conflict because of this.
Once I took my walls down and let myself be vulnerable, I felt free. I decided to stop hiding who I was and instead of working against myself, I worked with myself and my strengths and abilities.
I now believe that one of the keys to pursuing your dreams is to let go of all those walls. Stop hiding who you are because society is telling you to be someone who you are not. Each and every one of us has some unique ability to share with others. A way that we can contribute and feel that our purpose for life is fulfilled.
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Do you know yourself?
Do you have any influential women in your own lives who have given you the strength to dream big?
This is a fantastic post. Love it.
That’s such an amazing story.
I too have a mother who is the best in the world. ;) she has taught me so much about being myself. She saw the struggles I went through in high school. And in university. I think it hurt her everyday that she saw my unhappiness, and it hurt her even more because there was nothing she could do. It wasn’t some small cut on my knee easily healed with a kiss and a hug.
Everyday I learn more about myself. I look at where I’ve come in the past 2 and a half years and I go into shock. If you had told me I’d be at UBC living life with loads of friends, a strong leadership position in my residence, I would have laughed. I’m an introvert! I’m horribly shy! I’m not a leader!
But it seems who I am shines through anyway, and without really meaning to, I’ve become stronger (or let that strong part of me out) in all aspects of my life.
This is a wonderful post! I was so 80s too and it was fabulous.
I have 5 girls in my family, so they are my support system. My twin sis is especially my rock…my two old sisters are always pushing me and inspiring me to do better, and them my mom is nothing but love and support. This was so nice of your mom!!! Sounds like a wonderful lady!!!
That was such a touching gift your mom gave you! You are right Angela, money cannot buy you happiness and contentment. I am in the process of interviewing for a new job that can bring me so much more happiness but I am scared to leave the steadiness (ie: monotony) of my current job. Why do we women have such trouble going for what we want??? On a side note, I LOVE your pink outfit in the photo with your mom and sister. I was rocking the scrunch socks, slap bracelet and perm around that time too!
What a beautiful gift- so thoughtful!
I also love all the cute early 90s clothing and your prom picture!
I am working on knowing myself. My mom is the strongest woman I know and has changed our lives forever.
Ange,
You are so lucky to have a mom like that. I am so happy that at this early time and age you are able to find your true happiness. I agree 100% that money cannot buy happiness. Your kid pictures are so cute!
What a beautiful letter from your mom. She sounds amazing!
Also, I had to say I love the winter monster photos of you in the post below. So funny! :)
You and your mother both are gorgeous. What an incredible and touching gift! (Note to self: Do this for my daughter one day!) I’m glad everything worked out for you… I can tell you are truly HAPPY! :)
This is so beautiful on so many levels. Your mom is so insightful and wise. I love my mom for all those reasons too. She has always been my BIGGEST cheerleader and I can turn to her to help/advice on ANY topic, no matter how big or small. Having someone on your side like that is the best thing in the world.
Is that a snap bracelet or a scrunchy? Either way, it totally tops that look off ;) too cute!
im thinking scrunchie…but that would be just as cool ;)
what an amazing, supportive mom you have! i love that idea of a memory box. what a great gift… for a lifetime.
What a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL gift! Something that you can always look back at and will always have meaning for you at every moment of your life. I have always said, when I have a child, I will do something like this for her/him. I have been reading your “story” and I relate so much. I’m glad that you finally had faith and trust in yourself that you could leave a job that you hated and now have so much more :) You’ve come a long way! Love the blog!
yay for moms!
I dont think i have felt this emotional about something since i saw the notebook for the first time. Either that, or the same effect of watching Homeward Bound and ET simultaneously.
Movies aside, i would have to say my mother is a strong woman in my life. She worked her butt off to take care of my sister and I when my father left and id a fine job if I do say so myself. Sadly though, i do not now myself as well as i would like, but im getting there. I think i need to find a note that i wrote when i was six and see if there are five things about me that i forgot about. Im healthy when I get good sleep too!
This is a truly incredible and inspiring post, Angela. I am lucky to have an amazing and supportive mother like you do.
I’ve been moving around for the past 4 years, trying to find myself with each new location and it wasn’t until I faced that I would not find what I was looking for in a new spot. I forced myself to settle down and look inside myself and with that knowledge, I have finally found happiness and the ability to live my life to the fullest. I have stopped trying to make others happy and finally focused on myself. My mom supports me with every new adventure I had tried, whether I made it through or not. I am so grateful for that!
ange, this post makes me get teary! How amazing are mom’s? I feel like this is exactly something my mom would do. Her words are beautiful and that is such a precious gift. I am looking into my future of when I will graduate from graduate school with my doctorate degree, and I really hope that I will be in a place in my life where I am happy. I still don’t know if this is what I want to do with my life, but it is so wonderful to be comforted by the fact that I will be loved no matter what I do!
I really do feel like I know myself and what I want in life … it has taken me a while, but I have learned to listen to myself. I have very wise parents, who have taught me what is important in life and what is the most valuable.
I love this series!
this is SO inspiring.
such beautiful photos!
Angela,
What an amazing series of posts on who you are and how you arrived to find your true self and true happiness. I have gained so much from reading your words and can relate to EVERYTHING you have gone through. I just turned 35 and I finlly feel like this is my year to reclaim my self and my life. I have always been blessed with a supportive amazing family and a fantastic boyfriend who has been in my life for five years now. Although we have known eachother for lifetimes, I just can feel it. I have spent the last 11 summers working for the Park Service and my winters have been spent working with kids in a variety of settings. Seems like a great life, and it has been. But there has been this little voice telling me that there is something else out there for me. I’ve also been trying to get a full time job with the school district here in Wyoming for YEARS! And even though I am overly qualified for this job I just can’t seem to break through. Needless to say it has been more than frustrating and my self esteem has suffered greatly. This summer I was working in Yosemite and finally came to a place of quiet acceptance that this “dream” job with the school just wasn’t meant to be for me. I swear that night I was overcome with the most amazing calm and thought to myself:”I should go into the healing arts!” And that is exactly what I am pursuing now. Tomorrow I am taking 2 Reiki classes and will then become a Reiki Master and we will see what comes after that. My boyfriend is learning with me and I couldn’t be happier. Just like you I was fighting against the intertia of my life and my pity parties were preventing me from hearing my own voice! So amazing. . .it really is magic when you just let go. Thanks for your honest and courage to tell your truth!
All the love,
Linda
What an awesome gift from your mom! OSG mom seems so thoughtful:) I totally understand the pink and black outfit. Did your leggings have stirrups?! haha Mine sure did!