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Celebs Reveal: The Best Advice My Mom Ever Gave Me

Readers share best advice from Mom

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We asked readers to share the best advice that Mom ever gave them. Here are some of your responses.

Larry Holliday, Horseheads

It was September 1965 and the Vietnam War raged on when a young man from upstate New York headed off to Air Force boot camp. Scared and uncertain of what the future might bring, I marched into my third day of basic training wondering just what I had gotten myself into.

It was then that I found the handwritten note from my mother neatly tucked into some of the personal items I had brought from home. The note read:

"I hope you find your new life interesting by now. Whatever you do — don't look for the things that aren't so pleasant. Look for all the good things and enjoy them. God bless you and help you in your new life. I will be thinking of you every day and hope to hear from you soon. Love, Mom."

I carried that note for many years and I lived by Mom's advice from that point on. It was that advice that guided me through a wonderful and rewarding life and gave me the courage to look ahead at all the wonderful things the world has to offer. I am most grateful for this gift.

And on Mother's Day, I will find my special way of saying thanks to Mom for all she has done for me because at 97 years old and in failing health, she is living in a local nursing home where I will try to make my daily visit with her as special for her as she has always been to me.

Nicalina Musto, Horseheads

The best advice I got from my mother when I got my first boyfriend was to "keep your legs crossed." She didn't have to say any more than that. It covered everything.

I'm close to 79 now and still think that this advice, if taken, is the old-fashioned, short-and-sweet version of being a "good girl."

Kathleen Huddle, Elmira

My mother died eight years ago and I miss her every day. I was blessed with a world-class, loving, Italian mother who had a great sense of humor.

The most sagacious advice she gave me were these pearls of wisdom: "Stop picking at that thing on your face or it'll never heal" and "never eat yellow snow."

Laura Ferris, Elmira

The best advice my mom, Sandy Bonnell, ever gave me was to stand by your family.

My mom, better known as Gigi, was one of 10 children born and raised in Elmira. Her mom taught her this lesson at a young age: Family sticks together. As my mom was raising three children, she taught us that same lesson.

When we were young kids out in the community, we knew that we were to protect "the unit" by representing our family in a positive way. If one of us was not doing that, it was up to the others to get us back on track. With that system of checks and balances, the unit stayed strong and got through anything.

Now, as adults, we are raising our own children — Gigi's three grandchildren. We are teaching them the same lesson, that through thick or thin, right or wrong, you stand by your family members. No one and nothing is more important than family. Thank you, Gigi, for teaching us this valuable life skill.

Maxine Piecuch, Horseheads

The best advice my mother gave me was to "never marry a man thinking you are going to change him." This advice has come to mind many times since I married my husband. (We have been married 46 years.)

We were so different — I came from a big city (Kansas City, Mo.) and would have liked to have lived there. He wanted to stay in the Elmira area where he was born. We are of different religions and nationalities. His mother would have liked him to marry a Polish Catholic girl and I am a Baptist of English descent. We have had our ups and downs but have learned to live with our differences because of our love for each other.

Jackie Knapp, Elmira

My mom's name is Myrle Knapp. She is 87 years old. She has given me some great advice through the years.

The best advice she has given me are two things: Love everyone and put others first.

I remember when I was a little girl and she would tell me to be kind to everyone, no matter what their ethnic background was. She has always had a heart for everyone, regardless of who they are or what they've done. She not only taught it, she lived it.

She also said "put others first." She has been an example of that, too. She has helped others when she herself was hurting. She has always taken the time to listen, even when it was a sacrifice for her. Many young people call her "Mom" too because she has loved and listened to all.

The advice she gave me has helped me all through my life. I am Christian education director at Elmira Christian Center, and work with all kinds of people. I have been able to put my mom's advice to practice by reaching out, caring and loving people and trying to put others first as my mom would.

Courtesy: StarGazette

What is the best advice your mother ever gave you?

Mother Knows Best

What's the best advice you ever received from your mother? My mom taught me to be optimistic, compassionate and that family comes first. The Tory Blog asked several people, from Susan Sarandon andDavid Netto to Dree Hemingway, for their mothers' best advice. Their answers and memories only reinforce the idea that mother really does know best, whether it's how to make a guest feel welcome or inspiring a desire to discover the world.

Karen Finerman, a contributor on CNBC's Fast Money, CEO of Metropolitan Capital Advisors, Inc. AND a mother of two sets of twins, shared a powerful (and empowering) lesson she and her three sisters learned from their mom. Women need to be in control of their own finances. It's something I didn't learn until I was older and already a mother myself. It's something every girl should understand at an early age. Here is what Karen shared with us:

"My mother's message about money to her four daughters was unconventional at the time: You must make your own. As a stay-at-home mom, it was clear she felt her own limitations by not having an independent source of income. She made it known to me from an early age that there was no other way: You must take control of your financial future and be able to support yourself.

In other areas, my sisters and I didn't always heed her advice. Case in point: "When you're getting your hair colored, get it really blonde; it doesn't cost more." On the topic of money and self-sufficiency, however, we got the message.

This leads me to what I want to convey to you -- mothers and daughters alike: Money equals empowerment. So often I see women who are only too eager to surrender control of their finances. You would never let someone else decide where you live, where you send your kids to school or how you vote. So why would you relinquish your financial power when it touches nearly every aspect of your life?

At some point in their lives, 90 percent of women become responsible for their finances. So being comfortable managing your money is not just important; it's compulsory.

Remember, ladies: Men are not born with an inherent understanding of finance any more than women are (even if they pretend to be). They just know they can't get away with ignoring it.

In order to be financially fit, there are some rules to live by: You always need a budget; you always need to have some money saved; and I want you to always have some money invested. I don't just mean set aside in a savings account. I want you to learn about investing. Take a small amount of money, buy a stock or a few stocks and follow the stock price. Do your best to learn about the companies you invest in. A good place to begin is by reading their annual reports starting with CEO's letter to shareholders where he or she will describe the business, the company's goals and its performance over the past year.

If you don't feel comfortable picking a stock, that's fine. You can start with a mutual fund. There are lots of good funds out there.

For younger women especially, the experience of investing will teach valuable life lessons. You will learn the concept of risk and diversification. You may experience the pain of loss and the joy of gain. And you will learn that you can never have all your eggs in one basket.

My husband and I advise our children to save some, invest some, give some to charity and spend some. We decide how much for each. It's up to you to decide the ratios for yourself.

Now let's look at the flip side of saving -- spending. Budget out how much you're going to spend on clothes, let's say, before you buy them. But remember that the instant gratification you feel from splurging on a new outfit or iPhone that you truly can't afford may be short-lived. Fashions change, but having your own money never goes out of style.

And when you live below your means and start to see your savings grow, it's a wonderful, empowering feeling you'll love.

Courtesy: Tory Burch

~ SUNDAY INSPIRATION ~

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: 

"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

Happy Mother's Day!