Text by Corina Tan
Photo: Getty
Older relatives and family friends may have garnered some pearls of wisdom over the years. And dish them out whenever they see fit. Many of us do relish advice from elderly relatives like grandparents, aunts and uncles as they only want the best for us. There are however times when some advice may not seem in keeping with the times. Or may simply seem out of touch with reality. Experts have given us a little insight into what life advice follows, and some that may be best forgotten altogether.
Advice to keep: NEVER FORGET TO LAUGH
You may have heard the old saying, “Couples who laugh together, stay together” and this may not just ring through for romantic relationships. Laughter is the best medicine for stress and pain. It can quickly improve your mood, as well as increase intimacy, happiness, and understanding, helping you bond with others. Incorporate laughter whenever possible in your life, trying to see the humour even in difficult situations. It can make the difference between a good day and a bad day for you—and for those around you.
Advice to keep: DON’T BURN BRIDGES
It’s always a good idea to try and maintain good, or at least civil relationships with people from all parts of your life, whether you truly like them or not. After all, the world really is smaller than you think. Sometimes, it’s hard to know when you will encounter people again whether socially or professionally. Maintaining dignity and cultivating compassion and understanding for others makes for a happier and healthier life.
Photo: Getty
Advice to keep: DON’T MARRY FOR MONEY
No matter where you come from and what your financial background may be, the advice to not marry for money is usually given by people who sincerely care for you. People who are older and have gone through both happy and unhappy marriages have had their fair share of experience, so they know a thing or two about love and money. More likely than not they’ve seen what can happen when financial situations change, and money isn’t necessarily always guaranteed to last.
Money also is not what comforts you in trying times and happiness occurs with the right kind of wealth. In many cases, it may seem that money buys happiness, but when it truly counts, what we desire cannot be purchased in dollars and cents. In our love lives, we need to be free to be our authentic selves and vulnerable in our fundamental truths. If you love being with the person that you are with, regardless of their financial situation, you’ll be happier and internally rich on a daily basis.
Advice to keep: SAVE MONEY FOR A RAINY DAY
This may seem like such old and boring advice, but it makes absolutely perfect sense in the real world. Life in unpredictable and so there will be moments when the unpredictable happens and we need to have access to a financial safety net or backup plan. While it is always great to be able to live in the moment and not think about costs, anticipating that needs may arise in unexpected forms and planning for those times is energy well spent.
Advice to keep: NEVER AIR DIRTY LAUNDRY IN PUBLIC
Relationships are bonds, and in order to keep those bonds special, we need to hold on to what makes them special and different. Private moments, conversations, and information shared in confidence, as well as arguments, disagreements and gossip should never be shared publicly or openly. No one likes their shortcomings announced to everyone, and this includes what people know about us too. Whatever the case or situation may be, some things are meant to be kept private even with the demise of relationships or with separation and divorce, there are personal things that we just don’t share with the world. Social media especially isn’t a personal diary or where acquaintances get to read about every single thing. Sometimes, expression is just a nice way of describing a tendency to overshare, especially when it involves other people.
