What's the best advice you have ever received?

[NoEffingWay]

Mine was from someone who when they found out I had left my ex-h who said that there would be many who would judge me, but that they weren't living my life, and that being in a relationship which made me unhappy and depressed was not worth staying for.
Until that point, all I had heard from people was that I should think about trying harder to stay, and to think about what material goods I would lose (house and car).
Listening to them gave me the strength I needed to remember what was important, and that my feelings were worth more than bricks and mortar.

Not to listen to other people’s advice.

@laila747 I think Ive always naturally done that but your quote says it very clearly. I've always struggled to explain that to people. When my ex was abusive it never made me reflect on myself, only him. When someone is catty or mean I always tell the kids that it's not about them it's about the person themselves and their insecurities so don't let it get to you.

Mine is following a mental health crisis last year where I was very ill with clinical anxiety. 'Be careful what you focus on because what you focus on grows'. That helped me say no to giving any time or energy to my thoughts and instead go to my kids and give them that time and energy instead. It was a good part of what helped me heal I think.

From my grandmother:
Never smoke pot before your exams
Never trust someone who says "trust me"
Never barbecue naked

She was a wise lady.

@MrsDThomas

Not to listen to other people’s advice.

Is that a joke? If not it's pretty rubbish advice

Don't celebrate with Champagne, drink it when you are down it lifts your mood.

My grandmother.

The day she died I went to a pub with a friend and we toasted her with Champagne.

It's not personal - said about students when I started teaching, it's true they see 'teacher' not a human with a life, friends, hobbies etc.

Best advice I've ever been given

'don't take advice from anyone'

Trust your gut.

In this moment, life is good and you are complete. Life is made up of moments. Aka don’t let worrying about the past or future spoil your happiness now. Leave the past where it belongs and enjoy the moment. The future will take care of itself.

I who am the beauty of the Green earth, and the white moon among the stars,and the mystery of the waters call unto thy soul....that if that which you seekers thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee. For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

"If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing badly"

I heard that version recently and it really inspired me. I'm pretty average at lots of things and don't have anything I excel in. This made me realise that I was closing off a lot of fulfilling activities, because I'm not very good at them.

I now run really badly, I started playing a team sport for the first time ever in my late 30s.

If I had had that opportunity to play team sports at school (you had to be good), it would come so much easier to me now.

It really is true that what is a worthwile activity for people that excel, is worthwile for a lot of us that are mediocre.

Find a job you love and you will never work a day in you life

“An ounce of help is worth more than a pound of pity any day”
My DM used to say this when there was a crisis instead of soothing the person with just words she would get stuck in make them a meal or just turn up at mine and do the ironing when the kids were tiny.
I try to follow it to help friends I know you can’t always help physically but if you can it does make a huge difference.

If he hits you once, leave.

Mine from my lovely DF... if you’re not sure, make an informed decision.
This I really obvious I know, but for me it’s been really helpful to know which way to go in life when he’s no longer here to help guide me.

"The perfect parent/child doesn't exist"
"Admit when you are wrong, but never gloat about being right"
"life shouldn't be a mission"
"Silence can be more powerful than words"

All said to me by my dad.

What Velvian said!
Exactly the same for me. It was very liberating when I realised that having no innate talent was not a reason to avoid activities. Now I do loads of things really badly - run, swim, cycle (triathlon), draw, sing, dance and play piano!
My parents were always putting themselves down - saying "I can't do that because I'm no good at it" so I carried that attitude with me for years. Now I think who cares if I'm rubbish - i embrace my mediocrity!

Take a day at a time

"Look after your base" - my late Dad.
When things go wrong you need somewhere to go and someone to turn to, so never disrespect your family home.

Firstly 'Silence is your best defence'.

When in the throws of a very tricky marriage break up where with my EXH we were in a cycle of him criticising, me justifying and him using the justification to criticise again....and continue, all in writing, all time confusing and devastating. All used to justify his affair.

Seconded by
It doesn't matter what he thinks, stop caring about his view, he doesn't get an opinion.

You are the company you keep.

Lefty loosey righty tighty

When a few friends told me to go back and finish my degree. I already knew I was going to have to but hearing it from them seemed nice as it showed they cared.
I once heard you should always laugh at people when they're angry with you for no good reason, I do think it's good.to show you don't care in matters that you don't need to care about.
Some advice that I've given myself after some life experience is to never stop trying new things. I hate that so many people feel 'too old' to give something a go, when they're not really it's just an excuse. I believe that trying and learning new things keeps the brain young and engaged.

Perfection is the enemy of success.

I try to live by this

Follow your instincts

Every problem has a solution.

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

Comparison is the thief of joy. Also: Don't judge your insides by other people's outsides.

Finally, '"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Showing my age, but learnt it in the old King James version as a child and it stuck.