Five Lessons Learned from the Women in My Life
Five Lessons Learned from the Women in My Life
by Dr. Theresa Pigott, DC
BE DEDICATED
Most women are dedicated to something or someone in their life: their man, their children, their job or profession; selflessly giving, nurturing, and taking care of others. The secret to this lesson is you must love what you are doing or else it becomes a burden, a chore, and no fun. My aunt, Sr. Theresa Martin, is 85 years old and has dedicated 69 of those years in religious life as an Adrian Dominican Sister, without complaint and totally committed to her calling. Her life has been an example of dedication, loyalty, and devotion. She taught me that when you dedicate yourself to something “bigger” than yourself, you can find a deep sense of peace and joy in the process.
LOVE DEEPLY
Grammy, as I referred to her, showered upon me the most incredible feeling of unconditional love ever. It wasn’t just the average, ordinary love, but she went beyond and made everyone feel loved as they were, no matter what. She was always willing to lend her ear as you lazily sat and sipped hot tea (out of those delicate tea cups and saucers) and ate her homemade Irish soda bread. This love would be the standard upon which I would strive for, to bestow upon others.
PRAY
If I heard it once, I heard it 1000 times: “you study, and I’ll pray”, from Mary, my mother, who had an unwavering faith in God. This unshakable belief and knowing that her prayers would be answered, serve as a guide in my life to this day. Since I’ve had lots of exams in my lifetime (and did pretty well), it proves over and over the power of prayer. This relationship with God is the deepest connection we could ever have and acts as a reflection of ourselves. When we can see God in ourselves, then we see the divinity of all of humankind. We allow self acceptance to be our guide, and become the authentic person we are intended to be.
ASK FOR HELP
My definition of a true friend is someone who I can call in the middle of the night (and not get yelled at) no matter what. I suppose any of us could do it in an emergency but this is not what I am talking about. Reaching out and asking for what we need, without judgment from ourselves or them, can be a scary thing. Fear of rejection, looking foolish, or pride are all reasons why we don’t freely and comfortably ask for help. Friends, especially girl friends, throughout the years have taught me to trust and be able to count on others when I really needed someone or something. They will “be there” for you, even when you don’t know exactly what you need.
LAUGH-A-LOT
Who better than sisters to let your hair down and laugh out loud? Menopause the Musical proves this over and over, as countless sisters have united and “busted a gut” together. Along with the laughing, come the crying and a deep sense of connectedness where you can really be you, with all of your faults and flaws, and know there is a bond that cannot be broken. It is a feeling of home. Sisters carry the blueprint of the past… the memories… the scars, and yet still can be the greatest pool for generating laughs.
So I honor all of the women who have shaped my life and have given me a template on how to have a successful and happy life. In loving deeply, knowing God, being dedicated, asking for help and laughing a lot, these are the secrets which I hold dear.
Dr. Pigott 248-822-9253