My grandma, who lost her sister at a young age, imparted these 2 valuable lessons about resilience and regret.

I never met my great aunt Terry.

My grandma Cheryl, who I call Gram, tells stories about her baby sister and the lessons she learned from her. She passes these lessons down to me, making me feel like I've known Aunt Terry all along. She died in 1979 from kidney cancer, only living to age 8.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including being diagnosed with Wilms tumor at a young age and undergoing years of surgeries and chemotherapy, Aunt Terry remained positive and resilient until her condition became too severe to continue.

Life presents everyone with challenging situations, ranging from minor problems to major setbacks that can change their lives. Staying optimistic and mentally strong during these times can help individuals focus on what they can control rather than dwelling on what they cannot, according to Scott Mautz, author and leadership coach, in his June article for CNBC Make It.

"Gram says that even when she was sick, she always tried her best. She taught me that resilience means not letting misfortune define my life. She would tell me that if something bad happens, I don't have to accept it as my fate."

My exposure to their strength has improved my life positively.

The power of mental resilience

According to Wharton organizational psychologist Adam Grant, who spoke to CNBC Make It in 2017, mental resilience enables you to recover more quickly from setbacks or remain determined in the face of them. Without it, you are more likely to experience stress and become fixated on your problems.

The resilience Gram learned from Aunt Terry greatly influenced her life. Despite facing challenges, Gram moved from Philadelphia to Atlanta with her children at the age of 30, without any assistance. She then pursued a career in health information technology, earned a bachelor's degree online, and became a foster mom.

In the early 2000s, she launched a calendar business focused on African-American history and culture, and in 2010, she established her own travel agency, Travel Excelsior, and became certified as an agent.

Despite my mom's struggles, Gram always took care of us, homeschooled us, and maintained her own health while also caring for her own sick mother.

I am inspired by her to overcome my own obstacles.

Educational psychologist and parenting expert Michele Borba stated in Make It last year that when parents display optimism and resilience, their children tend to follow suit.

Living without regrets

Aunt Terry also showed Gram the importance of living without regrets.

During a commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania in May, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee stated that many people regret not showing their love to others sooner, as they often realize this too late when they are on their deathbeds.

In contrast to Aunt Terry, Gram's personal cheerleader, who offered to help her with household chores and encouraged her to finish her homework, Gram says that Aunt Terry expressed her affection for her big sister early and often.

Aunt Terry prioritized her own happiness, even when she was uncomfortable and in pain, according to Gram.

Despite changes in circumstances, Gram has remained committed to prioritizing her own happiness. She enjoys traveling and has visited various destinations such as Spain, South Africa, Belize, and others.

Over the years, she has taught me to prioritize nurturing my hobbies and staying in touch with my loved ones. She demonstrates this by regularly checking in with me through FaceTime video chats and occasional Zelle notifications.

Despite tough times, Gram maintains a positive outlook and keeps a smile on her face. This is something I will always admire about her.

The Jackson women who came before me have instilled in me a greater sense of resilience, optimism, and love, as I often visualize their figurative footprints in the sand that they have left behind.

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