Life Lessons:
Lois Grimm
Don’t let Lois have all the fun. We’d love to see what Life Lessons you’d like to share with GEM Nation. Click here to email us for the questions. Now take it away, Lois.
Are you happy at the moment?
Yes, for the most part I am happy. I am doing almost everything I’d like to do, I love being able to stay home and contribute my time to my kids’ school and in the community. I also feel lucky to be able to pursue personal goals at this time in my life.
If you could go back and say anything to your 16-year-old self now – what would it be?
Finish school, get your English degree and TRAVEL.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year?
The most important thing I’ve learned this year is with accepting responsibility for what happens in my life empowers me to do nearly anything.
What do you most want to achieve in the next 12 months?
I’d like to build my graphic design/photography business. That is an area of my life that I have been ignoring for a long time. I need to focus on that this year.
What’s your secret to happiness?
Giving thanks for what I have, paying forward kindness, time and energy to others and learning new things.
What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded?
As a friend says, “Having a servant spirit.” I have found that helping others through volunteering has helped me tremendously with self esteem, making friends, making me see all that I have and seeing the impact that I can make.
What’s your biggest regret?
My biggest regret is broad in nature but is boiled down to one concept: Making decisions out of fear. The decisions I’ve made based on fear are the ones I regret the most. I didn’t travel because I was afraid to leave home. I didn’t go to college in my younger years because I was afraid to fail. I didn’t speak up when I should have because I was afraid of what others might think. Although I’m not 100% fear-free, I’ve learned to shut that voice up when making decisions.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your kid(s)?
Respect. If you can respect people, on a basic human level, I think many other things flow from that – understanding, kindness, empathy. I teach my children to respect all human beings no matter who they are. I feel very strongly that all people on this Earth are deserving of basic human respect.
What bad habit would you most like to change about yourself?
Procrastination! I am a terrible procrastinator. I have been for as long as I can remember. Maybe that will be my New Year’s resolution. If I get around to it.
Aside from motherhood and marriage what are you most proud of in your life?
The changes I’ve made inside and out. I have learned that we are all works in progress and if I sit back and think about how very different I was 20 years ago, it’s like I am looking at a different person. I’ve changed my attitude, my lifestyle, education level, etc. Hopefully in another 20 years I’ll see how much more progress I’ve made.
When were you happiest?
I am happiest when I am exploring. A friend of mine called me a “seeker”. I seek out new experiences, ideas, philosophies, places, buildings, art. I just love to learn new things and experience new things.
What ten words best describe you?
Silly, kind, thinker, passionate, vexing, extroverted, talkative, dreamer, pensive, and a liberal.
Lois Grimm is 34 years old and is a current stay home mom. She is married to Cassidy, a man of infinite patience and humor. She have two sons – Sam (8), her studious thinker/creator and Aaron (5), her very own Curious George. Lois’s most prized possessions are; her library card, Adobe software, cameras, a collection of journals and photos. She adores humor, words, love and openness. She also enjoys talking, thinking, beer, hiking, learning, museums and writing. Lois also has a in graphic design and currently teaching herself photography.
