What I Learned From My Mother

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Tammy Taylor. Carol Brady. Claire Dunphy. Marge Simpson. Claire Huxtable. Kate McCallister. Mrs. George.

When it comes to movie and TV moms, we have been #blessed with all kinds.
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And these characters are all so lovable because we can see glimpses of our own mothers in each and every one.

Some more than others, (I’m lookin’ at you, Mrs. Regina George, self-proclaimed “cool mom”), but each reveal an aspect of every mother’s heart. Because at the end of the day, Mrs. George is really just desperately trying to relate to her kids, however questionable her tactics may be.



I’ve already expressed on here, numerous times, my complete admiration of my mother. She is my rock. My best friend. My role model. My biggest supporter. And I love her with my entire being.


But you already know that. So I’ll table the gushing. At least for this post. 🙂

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But truth be told, I have learned so much from my mom. Growing up, even into high school, my mom would tuck me in every night and we would chat for a good 30 minutes about absolutely everything. From faith, to friends, to fashion, to her childhood, to boys, to fears, to struggles, to my hopes and dreams for the future. And I learned some of my most valuable lessons from her.

But there’s one gem that she taught me that has stuck with me more than anything else.

Something that I find myself repeating multiple times a week, if not multiple times a day.

Just do the next right thing. 


Recovery from anorexia is a bit overwhelming. And if that’s not the understatement of the century, I don’t know what is.

But there were days, many many days, where I simply did not think that I could do it. That I couldn’t make it through the next meal, the next supplement increase, the next weigh in, the next urge to exercise.

But it was during those times that my mother’s little mantra would come into my head and help me get through that particularly difficult moment. Just do the next right thing.


I’ve been pretty clear that my recovery was in no way my doing. That it was God’s. His rescuing. His strength. His working. Which is true. But at the end of the day, I was still the one that had to put the fork to my lips. And I believe that this little “one liner” of strength and perspective was given to me by Him, through my mother.


I think a lot of times in life, and not just recovery, we can get bogged down by everything staring us in the face. Whether it’s finals, or stress at work, or a house full of kids to take care of, or relationship issues, or kicking an addiction or bad habit. We can become frozen with uncertainty or doubt or fear.

And it’s in those moments when I just take a deep breath and think, Okay. What is the next right thing?

And I’ll tell you what, just that shift in perspective can change a mountain into a mole hill.

And sometimes that’s all you need to get through that moment.

For me, it was a game changer.


So thanks, mom.

Whether you’re a biological mother, a spiritual or emotional mother, or even a “puppy mother,” thank you for all the hats you wear: Nurse. Encourager. Provider. Teacher. Disciplinarian. Nurturer. Fashion consultant. Protector. Comedian. Helper. Chef. Entertainer. Advice Guru. Advocate. Spiritual Advisor. Friend.

You enrich our lives, just by being you.

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BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

154 thoughts on “What I Learned From My Mother”

  3. That was awesome advice: “Just do the next right thing.” I’ll remember that. My mom was such a gem as well. I wish I knew some times how she is doing or if she is even still around. Life throws some really weird curveballs at us at times, and there was a point in which we lost contact. I think we were both okay with it back then because of extenuating circumstances at that juncture, I prayed about it and was hearing to just let it be. But every once in a while I ask again. “Is it time to try and reconnect?” I do miss her at times.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m sorry that you have lost contact with your mom. I don’t know why we go through things sometimes, but I will definitely pray for you guy to reconnect if that is what you wish to do. Sending big big hugs and love xox

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      1. No, don’t pray for that. Sometimes we pray without knowing what Yahweh’s will is, and it just gets in the way and can mess things up.
        When Yahweh knows it is time, I will certainly know it and how to reconnect.
        I appreciate your care and thoughtfulness very much though. 🙂

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  4. Oh, Beebs, you need to meet my mom. Very different from yours, but I think she wins the competition. I ripped her heart out and stomped it to pieces in the ground and she still loves me. I made my object of existence to tear her down. In fact, in the hospital, I was given the qualification that to get out I had to go 14 days straight making no threats. I was there five months. Boy, that was a long 14 days! Don’t get me wrong! She was not bashful about using her artillery, either! She knows a thing or two about war, too. Any resource available, she’ll find a way to use it and turn it into a weapon. Things you’d never think… When I was 10 trying to learn how to become a boy scout, she did a 50-mile bike ride with us on a one-speed with my five-year sister riding in a little basket in the back of her bike, up and down hills. I shouldn’t tell the whole story, but I guess I should mention that, again, when I was 10, I saw the announcement for some race in town, and I was afraid she would say, no. She didn’t. I ran it and won. An entire life opened up. She was the wheels, and I was the gears. Anyway, neener neener neener. Top that. I dare you. My dad wasn’t too shabby, either. Don’t ever ask him to arm wrestle. My biggest (and I do mean, biggest) brother made that mistake one time. I’ve never forgotten. A man that can kill a badger with only a crowbar seems to know more than how to find his way to the pill cabinet. Evolution kinda left me behind, but they were pretty studly in their day. People sometimes make the mistake of trying to judge me by my parents, and, boy, does it backfire! A private school director made that mistake when she hired me to teach. I having teaching genes on both sides. My mother was a preschool teacher, and my dad’s mother was a school teacher throughout much of her life.

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  8. I am so glad that you have a lovely supportive mum. You are a beautiful lady and your trials have given you a special place to help others. Thank you for reaching out to others who find life difficult and giving them hope. God bless you.

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      1. Hello there friend I was just wondering if you may be able to give you some advice I saw the other day that you posted a video on your blog my question is how do we do that Anthony who wants to know? Thank you have a fantastic lovely day.

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      7. Well I have some bad news for you a recent blog post which was pertaining to Queen Esther didn’t fly with the WordPress managers because it posted iMovie trailer so that my readers could understand the essence of the movie anyway I am banned from WordPress with no warning whatsoever I am visibly upset because I spent more than 6 months working my way up to create a site that everyone can enjoy. if I was given warning I could have understood why but I wasn’t given anything. I don’t want start up a site only to have incurred the Wrath WordPress. George is getting upset. WordPress is killing independent George.

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  12. I would seriously, simply be finished without my mum… God knows my ultimate prayer for both of us… Thanks Princess… now you go do the next best thing by your mum which you sure already are doing in total trust in the Great I Am

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  13. I’m just getting swept up in your story lately! Thanks for sharing about your mom, her recovery, your recovery, and y’all’s relationship. It’s so special and I’m left tearing up at the end! Your mom has given you so much wisdom. It’s awesome.

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  14. SOOO…I just happened to be reading this utterly random entry of yours and came across the “just do the next right thing” thing. My mom says that ALL THE TIME, so much so that I say it all the time (and I really try to do it) and it’s become my absolute favorite saying of hers, ever. Anyway, I just thought that was a totally weird fluke thing that you needed to know about immediately. =)

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