Wisdom of Our Elders

Topic: Most of us recall words of wisdom from our parents (or grandparents) that have stayed with us. Some of these nuggets gave us guidance or inspiration; others were just plain funny. One member writes, “On prom night, my father offered this sound advice: ‘Don't bring back anything you didn't take with you.’" Some other examples from members:  “My mother always said, 'You can choose to be sad, happy, or angry…which do you choose?'" "If they knew better, they'd do better." "If you hang around with dogs, you'll catch fleas" (on picking friends).

Beliefnet is putting together a gallery of favorite family sayings or advice, and we need your help.

 What to do:

1.       Write your favorite piece of parental or family wisdom (and the context in which it was said), with the name and relationship of the person who shared it.

2.       Get a photo of that person

3.    Email both to the below address

Send to: BeliefnetElderWisdom@gmail.com. Subject line should say: “Elder Wisdom.”

* If you have only a print photo, please mail it to Beliefnet, Attn. "Words of Wisdom,"  P.O. Box 1062, 330 Park Ave., New York, NY 10010. Please only send duplicates of photos, as these will not be returned.)

Deadline: March 15, 2007

Please note:.

• Include your name, your occupation, your city/state of residency.
• All images and writing must be original to you. If you are submitting a work that has been previously published elsewhere, please make sure there will be no conflict before submitting to us. We just want to remind you that, per our terms of service Beliefnet trusts that you only send material you actually own (i.e. not other people's copyrighted materials) and by sending it to us, you grant us and our editorial partners the right to use it in any form.