Can you learn from Grandparents and their values

Father’s day came around the list of yearly calendar events recently,  which made me think and reflect about the unconditional love for my grandfather and my grandparents. Coincidently this reflection came at the same time of one of my recent blog posts, creating value from values.

My grandfather  was an incredibly special man. He was from a large family with nine brothers. My grandfather always reminded me that in the early 1900’s life was never easy. He experienced much adversity in life. His family struggled which gave him tenacity and determination to work hard and to achieve a base where his family would not have the same worries, the stress, and from where he could build a solid foundation for the future.

Grandfather George started his working life in industry with Huntley and Palmers. He came to be liked by Lord Palmer and his family in running the UK operations before being sent to Paris to set-up and manage the firm’s first French factory, located near Paris. Grandfather always amused me as a child informing me around the challenges of managing and running a biscuit operation in France that was to educate the French in English biscuits. He always amused me with his stories and wisdom.

My grandfather was the true business man in our family and my grandmother was always about the love of her family. I learned so much from them, their knowledge, love for life and nature and values, which attributes to who I am today. This I am indebted to such beautiful people.

These days, our grandparents seem to be in our lives mostly for special occasions, dinners, fun activities and/or for a great hug. But have you ever really made the effort to know your grandparents? Or ask them about their lives? You may find they have a lot of valuable information to offer… about values and habits that may get your life off to a faster, more focused, more amazing start.

Sure they are disconnected from ‘our’ fast moving technological culture, but do values change like cultures do over time? Ask your grandparents what their opinion is about family, friends, hobbies, fun, work ethic, financial saving, purpose, learning, laughter and all of those other values that ours and their cultures share. You may find that they are not disconnected from you at all. And you may also learn from their successes and their experiences. What a resource to have,  and what a great relationship you may develop from such knowledgeable people who are right in front of you.

Grandparents and their grandchildren, who share a bonding that is so unique and unmatched, is potentially the most valuable life experience a child can have. I talk from experience. The significance that they have is irreplaceable and the love that they give is incomparable. Moreover, apart from being a source of unconditional affection, grandparents pass on to us lessons for life, that they have gained from their long life journey. Those are the things that can be given by none, as their advice and lessons are as exclusive as they are.

Pope Francis recently addressed the participants, reminding them of the preeminence of love. “The life of a family is filled with beautiful moments: rest, meals together, walks in the park or the countryside, visits to grandparents or to a sick person… But if love is missing, joy is missing, nothing is fun. Jesus gives always gives us that love: he is its endless source.” He also exhorted people to learn from the wisdom of grandparents: “[A person or] people that does not listen to grandparents is one that dies! Listen to your grandparents.”

10 important tips from our grandparents that are invaluable to life’s success

• Unconditional love
• How to be independent
• The art of living
• Grandparents amazing cooking recipes
• Adversity and tenacity
• Values, morals and ethics
• Insights and effective listening
• Traditional mastery in games
• Mental stability
• Skills and knowledge

The wonder of grandparents is that it is never too late to start listening to people who love you. Grandparents Day this year is celebrated on September 13. Celebrate this day with your grandparents, and see and learn from the above important tips. It could be life changing for you!