5 Life Lessons Prince’s Legacy Taught Me as a Mom

Prince dead life legacy

By now I’m sure the whole world knows of the sad passing of Prince Rogers Nelson, aka Prince. It came as a shock to the majority of us but I read that Prince himself may not have been as shocked. Apparently he was finally starting to pen his memoirs, something he’d been putting off. And unfortunately due to yesterday’s tragedy, that memoir isn’t finished. As often with death, Prince’s passing got me thinking about life and what I could learn from someone like Prince, and here are the 5 life lessons his legacy taught me.

  1. Life Should Be FULL – Die Empty
    Prince was fortunate (depends on how view it) to know that something may have been brewing underneath the surface, as he was rushed to the hospital last Friday. Regardless of that fact, he spent the past almost 40 years doing what he loved. He used his God-given gift while he had the chance and died, as they say, empty. The songs were sung, the music produced, the instruments played, and the shows performed.
  2. Life Should Be CHANCED
    As parents, we tell our kids to give it their all in school, in sports, in extra-curricular activities, etc. But do we? Have you given your passion-project, your dream and your secret aspirations your full effort? Have you given it a chance? Forget about all the excuses and 101 reasons why you can’t do it. What about that one reason you should?
  3. Life Should Be VALUED
    You don’t know what tomorrow holds, and Christine has previously shared that it is possible to be a good parent and still pursue your dreams. Showing your children that YOU value your own life will teach them to value theirs. What is it we as parents often say? “Do as I say, not as I do.” Well guess what, they’re gonna do as you DO, it may be behind your back, but action has always, and always will speak louder than words.
  4. Life Should Be FUN
    Prince’s death (& Michael’s back in 2009) hit home because they were both born in 1958, the same year my mom was born. I’ve witnessed the many years she sacrificed for me and my sisters, and immigrating from Uganda she had to start from scratch in her 20’s. It brings me joy that now when I call her, she’s always busy planning a vacation trip. Either back home to Uganda to visit family, or to explore the world with her girlfriends. She traveled to Israel last year, took a dip in the dead sea and covered her body in some kind of mud that’s supposedly amazing for your skin, among other explorations. It genuinely made me so happy to see my mom doing something I could never have pictured before, knowing that she’s finally living. Not to say she wasn’t before, but there’s no sense of duty attached to her travel. It’s for FUN.
  5. Life Should Be LIVED
    So let this be the lesson for today, life is meant to be lived, and lived to the fullest. Don’t hold back, don’t hesitate, DO IT AFRAID. What’s the worst that could happen? You owe it not only to yourself, but to your kids, to show them that though there are things we all have to do that we may not like (i.e. chores, lol), there’s so much more to life that we not only can do, but should do.

As I’m getting ready to publish this, rumours of a possible drug overdose is circulating as a possible cause of death, though no official cause has been released. Regardless of the cause of death, Prince still died having given it is all.

What is the ONE thing in life you want to try but have been putting it off until the kids get older?

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13 Comments

  • Christine St.Vil
    April 22, 2016 at 1:43 AM

    Violette, this post is everything. I am truly heartbroken and can’t believe he’s gone. We are losing too many of our great legends and he was indeed one of the greatest. Thank you for sharing these lessons and reminding us that if we’re not doing the things that make us happy and make us come alive, we’ve got some living to do. #RIPPrince #ThePurpleOne

    • Violette Willis
      April 22, 2016 at 11:46 AM

      Aww, thank you dear! I know, it’s so sad! Yup, enough with the excuses, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Living on purpose from here on out! 😉

  • Rita
    April 22, 2016 at 6:57 AM

    Absolutely beautiful beautiful beautiful. We grew up not having much materially but our home was full of love. We didn’t take vacations or travel. My parents were uneducated farmers and wanted more for their children. As a mother of 3 I see the need to instill in my children the desire to live and love life and not just to exist. I have found my purpose and passion. My only regret is that I didn’t find it sooner. Now I’m living, loving and enjoying life just as Prince did. I’m going to be driving my “Little Red Corvette”, ” in the “Purple Rain”, partying like it’s “1999” wearing my “Raspberry Beret”.

    • Violette Willis
      April 22, 2016 at 11:44 AM

      No regrets hun!! Your kids are watching you love and live life, not to worry. They’ll follow your lead 😉

  • Tanya B
    April 22, 2016 at 7:11 AM

    All I’ve been doing is reflecting on what his death means. WOW! Violette, you blessed me and confirmed many things as I get up this morning. I can no longer look at each day the same ever again! It is truly a gift. #livinglife
    Tanya B would like you to check out…4 “RIGHT NOW” STEPS for a Successful 2016My Profile

    • Violette Willis
      April 22, 2016 at 11:42 AM

      Yes Tanya! A gift indeed. We may not have Prince money (yet, lol) but this world is full of God’s wonder, and only our imagination limits what we can experience 🙂

  • Siobhan (BeFree Project)
    April 22, 2016 at 8:13 AM

    Violette, I am still in a state of shock. I have so many great memories of Prince. Purple Rain was the first time I saw people kissing in a movie and I snuck and watched it and I remember the adults who were in the room shooing me away. So many great songs that I still love and Prince will surely be missed. I agree life should be lived and I am trying to experience this day in and day out.

    Siobhan
    http://www.befreeproject.com

    • Violette Willis
      April 22, 2016 at 11:39 AM

      I know Siobhan, a shock indeed. My early memories of him was watching him play the piano and deciding I too was gonna be a killer pianist. Made my mom sign me up and she also bought a VHS tape (remember those, lol) of some guy teaching keyboard lesson. I distinctly remember getting so frustrated that a month of practice didn’t have me at Prince level skills, hahaha. I unfortunately quit the piano after about a year or so. Lord knows these long “piano” fingers of mine could probably have amounted to something…if I only had the discipline and patience. Smh…

  • FIDELIA
    April 22, 2016 at 9:22 AM

    Thank you for this reflection of life. There are so many things I’ve placed on the back-burner and as many understand the epidemic of procrastination I’m probably the poster child! Lol. Although many of us believe we live life to the fullest we’re also aware of our God-given gifts which we’re not utilizing. However this year I’ve resolved to embrace my short-term goals especially but believe me this just confirms the steps I have to take to fulfill them. Thank you and God’s blessings to you! 🙂

    • Violette Willis
      April 22, 2016 at 11:34 AM

      Aww, thanks dear! Yes, go and fulfill them hun. Just like there’ll never be another Prince, there’ll never be another you. The way God wants to use you is unique to you. Look forward hearing your story in December 🙂

  • Marcia Shannon 52
    April 22, 2016 at 6:53 PM

    Awesome article Violette! I was impressed when Prince changed his name to a symbol that no one could pronounce, so he was called ” the artist formerly known as Prince”. This was how he responded when the record label told him they owned his name so he couldn’t use it. Wisdom!
    Marcia Shannon 52 would like you to check out…Why Bad Things Happen To Good PeopleMy Profile

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