As I was growing up, my mother would always try to give me advice, and I would respond "You don't understand." I always came up with excuses about why my mother couldn't understand what was going on in my life because she grew up in a different generation than I did. Whenever she lectured me on the same advice over and over again, I grew very annoyed and ignored what she had to say. She would then say to me, "Just wait until you're older."

Little did I know that, once I got to college, I would realize she was right all along. My mother always wants the best for me and gave me that repetitive advice growing up because she was preparing me for the future. Now that I am an adult, I regret not listening to my mother. She is one of the wisest people I know and I am forever grateful that I have her in my life not only as a mother but as a best friend and mentor. Her wisest words are as follows.

1. The guy who every girl is in love with is bad news.

2. That girl is not a true friend.

3. If you don't fight for what you want, you will never get it.

4. Rejection is a redirection towards something better.

5. No matter how nice and great you are, there will always be people who don't like you.

6. The people who want to be in your life will always make time for you, no matter how busy they are.

7. Wear or bring a jacket.

8. Time heals everything.

9. Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

10. Don't worry about what others think about you.

11. Always be the bigger person.

12. Nothing worth having comes easy.

13. Be grateful for what you have.

14. A negative mind will never give you a positive life.

15. It isn't the end of the world if you miss out on something.

16. Live in the moment.

17. Everyday is a new opportunity.

18. If you don't respect yourself, others won't respect you.

19. How you react to situations defines who you are as a person.

20.You'll miss me when you go to college.

Mother, I'm sorry for not listening to you when I was younger. You have taught me many valuable things, and for that, I am very grateful. Thank you for everything that you've done for me! I love you!