Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

One of the sayings my mom always comes back to is, “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” Growing up, I didn’t always appreciate it. I’d hear it and feel like she was expecting the worst-case scenario, as if she didn’t believe in the good things that could happen. At the same time, it felt like a warning to brace for disappointment, and honestly, I didn’t always understand why she was so cautious. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize how much truth there is in this simple phrase–and how much love and care it really holds.

My mom wasn’t trying to bring us down with her words. She was looking out for us in the best way she knew how. She never wanted us to face something unexpected and feel unprepared, or worse, get hurt by not seeing a challenge coming. Her way of saying, “prepare for the worst” wasn’t about negativity, but about helping us stay strong and resilient no matter what life threw our way. It was about staying grounded while still hoping for the good. In a way, she was teaching us that the best thing we can do is be ready for anything, all while keeping our hearts open to the amazing possibilities that were to come.

Looking back, I see now that this phrase wasn’t just a practical life lesson–it was a deep expression of her love. She wanted us to dream big, hope for the best, but also be equipped to handle the bumps along the way. It wasn’t always easy to hear, but it was exactly what we needed. She wasn’t being negative–she was protecting us, guiding us, and giving us the tools to face life with confidence and courage. And now, I can’t help but be grateful for the wisdom she passed on in those words.