I used to think that my grandparents told the craziest stories.

They talked about people and places I had never seen, like how my great grandmother would pinch you with her toes under the table if you rested your elbows on it. Or how my great grandfather loved trains so much he couldn’t go five minutes without talking about them. My grandmother would talk about when she was a nurse, and how she would dab perfume under her nose so she wouldn’t make a face when something smelled bad.

When I was younger, I didn’t listen very well to their stories, because I didn’t think they applied to me. But as I grew older, I realized that the wisdom they shared really could impact my future for the better.

Older people have a lot of experience and can give guidance and insight in how to handle the situations you’re going through now. They’ve played the game of life and want to help you succeed.

Listen to the wisdom that your elders have to share. It will open the door to understanding who you are, where you came from, and what lies ahead.