5 Life lessons you can learn from Cookie Lyon.
By Mumbua Nzula Nzyoka
Cookie Lyon is one of a kind, and there is no question about it. This beloved empire character played by the fabulous Taraji P. Henson is nothing if not dramatic. But there is a method to her madness. Or shall we say life lessons? Cookie hands out a lot of cookies (Truthful and sometimes hurtful facts of life that no one else will tell you). Here are five cookies that are life lessons.
- “These Streets ain’t made for everybody.”
Lesson: Live your life.
This is arguably one of Cookie’s most used quotes. Taraji even used it during her mock fight with James Corden. However, there is a very real sentiment behind those words. The same can be said for the phrase, “sticking to your lane”. Nobody is great at everything. People need to find what they are good at, appreciate what they have and stick to it. It is the only way to improve our lives and be happy. In this day and age, there is the unrealistic expectation that everybody should be a millionaire by 25, which is disheartening as much as it is unrealistic. Appreciate the best things about you then make realistic goals about where you want to be in future. Do not imitate anyone’s success, create your own.
- “What I want is some respect. ”
Lesson: Respect your mama.
No matter how old you get, or how much money you make, never disrespect your elders, especially your mother. Like Hakeem Lyon found out, it’s just better for everyone involved if you do not disrespect your mother. *Laughs*
- “Everybody wants to be Beyoncé, but no one wants to put in the work.”
Lesson: You gotta put in the work!
Sometimes it’s very easy to forget that the successful people we look up to were at one point struggling just like the rest of us. When we talk about successful people, we forget about the amount of work they put in just to get to where they are. If you want something, you need to put in the work! There are no shortcuts!
- “Don’t ever touch my son. ”
Lesson: Family first, always.
No matter what underhanded dealings the Lyon family is doing behind each other’s backs, there is one thing you can count on, that the Lyon’s will stand together against an outsider. Cookie has never failed to stand up for her family, no matter what. Family is important, never forget that.
- “I’m here to get what’s mine.”
Lesson: No one is going to hand it to you.
The “I deserve it” syndrome is more prevalent than most people would have you believe. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t owe anyone anything. It doesn’t matter whether you built the something from the ground up, if you don’t fight for what you believe in, you will lose what you built. Steve Jobs was kicked out of his own company, and although that might seem unfair, the board had every right to. He made a come-back, of course, but the world didn’t think it was unfair at the time. Fight for what you want, no one is going to hand it to you!
