10 Life Lessons I Learned from My Hero Stepmom

When I was 26 years old, I lost my mother in a car crash.

My parents were married for 34 years.

My father survived the accident barely. It was a long road for him to heal both mentally and physically.

My dad was lucky to find love again.

Her name is Jane.

For 27 years she has blessed our family.

Life was good when they got married.

Until it wasn’t.

Life has dealt a tough hand to Jane. She is a four-time cancer survivor. She has lived with Parkinson’s for many years in addition to surviving multiple strokes.

She is strong-willed.

I have never heard her complain. Not once.

I asked her one day, “How can you stay so positive with all that you’ve been through?”

She looked at my dad and said, “Because I get to wake up next to that hunk of burning love every day.”

Friends, there are some things you cannot unhear.

But her point was well taken.

Be grateful for what you have.

I am reminded of so many things she has taught me through her example.

I’d like to share a few for you to consider this week.

  1. Be grateful for all things.

  2. Don’t complain.

  3. Do the work even when you want to quit.

  4. Be positive.

  5. Find joy in everyday things.

  6. Live without regret.

  7. Face your fears with courage and conviction.

  8. Persist.

  9. Have hope.

  10. Take life one day at a time.

I hope you have an amazing week.

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Kevin D. Brown is a branding and culture expert. He’s an award-winning motivational speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of The Hero Effect®. Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Canesha Appleton