Growing up in West Virginia is special. You learn a lot of things about life growing up in state that honors its culture, heritage and traditions.
Let’s take a look at 13 life lessons you learned if you grew up in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.
1. Always put family first.
Never put anyone or anything before your family. Always remember that at the end of the day, it is your family that has your back, believes in you, and loves you unconditionally.
2. Say please and thank you.
In West Virginia you are raised to respect everyone, especially your elders. We say "please" and "thank you." We say "no sir" and "yes ma'am," We shake a person’s hand when we first meet them. Manners are a sign of respect for yourself and others.
3. Work hard.
Growing up in West Virginia, you quickly learn that you have to work hard to get ahead. Those who work hard reap the rewards.
4. Play hard.
When the hard work is done it's time to kick off those work shoes and play hard! Enjoy life...live it to the fullest.
5. Appreciate natural beauty.
As West Virginians we are blessed to be surrounded by majestic mountains and an abundance of natural beauty. We never take that beauty for granted. Always remember that when you take something for granted, you never truly see its value.
6. Be thankful for those who have sacrificed.
It is important to always remember those who sacrificed their lives to allow us to have the freedoms we are blessed with today.
7 Always take time to smell the roses.
Life can be busy and stressful. It is always important to remember to stop, even if it is just for a moment, and "smell the roses."
8. Take the road less traveled.
Sometimes the road less traveled leads to the grandest of adventures.
9. Challenge the Status Quo.
Nothing changes unless we step up and make those changes. If you challenge the status quo, you can take things where they have never gone before.
10. Always Stand Up For What You Believe In.
West Virginians are never silent when we believe in something. We rally together to fight for what we see as right. We know if you remain silent nothing ever changes.
11. Follow Your Dreams.
We all have dreams. We have something tucked away deep inside that we want more than anything. Keep that dream tucked in their safely and strive to reach it a little bit every day. West Virginians are dreamers and achievers.
12. Dance in the Rain.
As Vivian Greene once said, '"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain." Get out there and dance!
13. Show your Mountaineer pride!
West Virginians take pride in our culture, history, traditions, and our beloved West Virginia University Mountaineers.
You can learn a lot from the place you call home, and those lessons stay with you no matter where life may lead you.
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