Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are moments to pause and reflect on the words of our parents we once brushed off, but now carry with us every day as quiet truths that shape how we think, act, and move through the world. For this special feature, we reached out to members of the community and asked them to look back and share a piece of advice from their parents that didn’t fully make sense at the time, until life unfolded in a way that proved them right.
Sarbraj Singh Kahlon
Community Journalist
Parents: Paramjit Kaur Kahlon & Nirmal Singh Kahlon
My parents never handed me advice in words. They handed me freedom and let life do the teaching. The lesson I carry most came not from a conversation, but from a single day that held both grief and joy at once. When my grandfather passed away in the middle of my sister’s wedding, none of us knew how to feel. My mother pointed to the Hukamnama that had come when we initiated the Akhand Path the day before. The Guru’s words brought stillness: “That man, who in the midst of pain, does not feel pain, who is not affected by pleasure, affection or fear, and who looks alike upon gold and dust.” That was their teaching: stay centered, trust Akal Purakh’s hukam. I didn’t understand it then. Today, I hold those words close and hope to one day truly walk in their meaning.
Mehr Bhatia
Influencer, Actor, Writer, Producer
Parents: Satinder Dhillon Bhatia & Jatinder Bhatia
Blowing up at 15, with millions watching, made me paranoid. I’d always been confident, but criticism and fear of judgment began to paralyze me. My mom, my anchor, taught me the “rule of 5”: Will this matter in 5 days, weeks, months, or years? It reminds me how temporary things are. My father, one of my biggest supporters, taught me the importance of hard work. Coming to America young, working multiple jobs, he showed me there are no shortcuts, but only commitment and showing up fully.
Kirpan Dhillon
Content Creator
Parents: Nasib Kaur Dhillon & Amanjit Singh Dhillon
Growing up, my parents always told me to keep my emotions in check. My father, a big math enthusiast, would say, “Apply simple math to chaos: add, subtract, and you’ll find your answer.” I never took it seriously. I thought crashing out was the solution. But over time, I realized emotions cloud judgment. Now, I step back and treat situations like equations—what adds value, what subtracts peace, what multiplies problems, and what divides energy. Once I remove emotion and think logically, the solution almost always becomes clear. Turns out, they were right!
Robin Josan
Hair Stylist & Salon Owner
Parents: Sardarni Jasdeep Kaur & Sardar Daljeet Singh
The night before my flight, my dad sat me down and said: “Nobody knows you there. Only your work will speak.” I was young and excited. I thought I’d figure it out. New country, fresh start. We’re not a rich family. If it didn’t work, there was nothing to really come back to. But when I landed in Vancouver alone, with no network and no contacts, I finally understood what he actually meant. He wasn’t saying don’t put yourself out there. He was saying, make sure what you put out is real and make sure the work behind it is solid. The camera can bring them once. The hands bring them back. So, I worked. Every single day. Because every time I picked up my scissors, I heard him say: “Only your work will speak.” Today, I have my own salon in downtown Vancouver. And the first time I sent money home, my mum called, and she was so proud. Papa told me so.
Avneet Kaur Grewal
Outdoor Leader
Parent: Davinder Kaur Grewal
Growing up, my mom always told me, “Take your time. Nothing meaningful comes from rushing.” Back then, I was impatient and wanted quick results in everything, from career to personal goals. But over time, especially through travel and building my own path, I’ve realized how right she was. The best experiences, growth, and clarity have all come from slowing down, staying consistent, and trusting the process. It’s not about falling behind; it’s about building something that lasts.
Jessie Kaur Lehail
CEO & Founder, Kaur Collective Foundation
Parents: Jatinder Kaur Lehail & Mohan Singh
My parents taught me that without faith, there is nothing. Their lives are grounded in a daily commitment to faith and integrity, and they lead by example, not force. They raised four children with a strong focus on character, depth, and service, never on chasing the world’s idea of success. They reminded us that our path is our own, to be walked in alignment with hukam, not trends, titles, or others’ expectations. They taught us to work hard with humility and to remain forgiving, even when life is difficult. They often remind me that while I have a soft heart, I must build resilience. When life is hard, their answer is discipline: turn to faith, family, and keep moving forward. This blueprint continues to guide me. Everything I do reflects what they modeled: live with faith, act with integrity, and let purpose, not the world, define success.
