Joy, Humor & Curiosity: Life Lessons from My Mom

A few weeks ago, I asked my mom for her top ten life lessons.

She gave me 113.

Yes, that’s my mom, Cathy. The kind of person who can fill your plate with more wisdom than you thought possible, and somehow make it feel light and joyful. She’s also the kind of person who’s ended up as the hero in more than one story I tell on stage. (If you’ve seen The Printer Story, you know what I mean.)

I grouped her 113 lessons into four themes and asked all of you to vote on which one I should write about first. It was close, but Joy, Humor & Curiosity edged out the rest.

So here we are.

Joy Is a Practice, Not a Perk

"Happy is as happy does. Cooking makes you happy? So cook! Reading makes you happy? Read! Football, opera, art makes you happy? So play, sing, paint. Life is there to be enjoyed!" - from an Italian cookbook, via Mom

We tend to think of joy as something that happens when the conditions are right, the big win, the perfect holiday, the milestone moment. My mom lives as though joy is a decision you make daily. In leadership, that means not waiting for the “perfect quarter” to celebrate your team. Bake joy into the process.

Ice Cream Is Important

It’s one of her shortest lessons, and maybe the most profound:

“Ice cream is important.” -Stuart Little, also via Mom

Not everything that builds culture and connection has to be deep or strategic. Sometimes it’s just making space for a shared laugh, a coffee break, or a scoop of strawberry gelato.

You’re One of a Kind, Own It

"Most of the beautiful things in life come by two’s and three’s, by dozens or thousands. Lots of stars, sunsets, seashells, rainbows, mountains, trees, roses, but only one unique and unrepeatable you."

Leaders often talk about authenticity as a buzzword. My mom lives it. Being genuinely yourself doesn’t just feel good, it makes people trust you.

Happiness Has No Expiration Date

"Be happy. It's not that hard. You have a million things to be happy about. You have your whole life ahead of you. You will always have your whole life ahead of you. That never stops and you shouldn't forget it." - Bill Bryson, via Mom

Your life ahead of you isn’t a fixed span, it’s every moment you haven’t lived yet. That mindset changes how you show up in the present.

Don’t Hurry, Don’t Worry

"We’re here for such a short time."

In high-pressure environments, leaders tend to push for more speed, more output, more urgency. But urgency without joy burns people out. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do for your team is to slow down.

Remember You’re Alive

"Take a moment from time to time to remember that you are alive. I know this sounds a trifle obvious, but it is amazing how little time we take to remark upon this singular and gratifying fact." - Bill Bryson, via Mom

This isn’t about gratitude journals or elaborate mindfulness rituals. It’s about noticing the air in your lungs, the warmth of your coffee, the conversation with your colleague that made you smile.

Find Awe in the Details

"The secret of happiness is to enjoy the present, without regretting the past or worrying about the future." — Amelia Peabody, via Mom

And then there’s her list of tiny marvels:

15 minutes a day is 91 hours in a year.

A honey bee can flap its wings 200 times.

The fastest snail travels 1.3 centimeters.

“Will you marry me?” can change a life.

If you look at the stars long enough, they shrink your troubles down to size. - Nathaniel Bowditch

It’s hard to stay small-minded when you remember how big and how intricate the world really is.

The Leadership Connection

Joy, humor, and curiosity aren’t “nice-to-haves” for leaders. They’re culture shapers. They make teams resilient, creative, and willing to take risks together.

And if you need a reminder, keep this one from my mom in your back pocket: Ice cream is important.

P.S. I’d love to hear from you. What’s one small, joyful thing that keeps you grounded?