Too often in life, children are viewed as unimportant, insignificant, or
unable to contribute much to society. I beg to differ. In fact, I
would argue that children can teach us some of the greatest lessons we can
learn. Most of us learned these lessons as kids, but as we grew older, we became more cynical, jaded and so on and so forth. The following are just a few observations I have made and my thoughts regarding each observation.
If you have ever watched two kids argue and fight over a toy, you know that
they will keep fighting until they get what they want. Often times, soon after getting that particular toy, they soon put it down and decide they don't want it after all. The lesson:
When you want something in life, don't stop striving towards that goal until
you get it. This is of course assuming that it is a healthy thing you are
pursuing... The other lesson in this is, sometimes when finally acquire what you thought you wanted, you realize it is not at all what you want or need.
After those kids argue over the toy, one child is always left crying and
hurt over what took place. Soon enough, they are playing together again
and acting as if nothing happened! The lesson: Don't stay mad at
anyone too long. Kids get over stuff really quickly and find a way to
move on and be friends again. We adults can go years without speaking to
someone who has done us wrong!
Children are quick to help each other out. Just watch a child who is
crying at the playground. Most of the time you will see other children
rally around that child and try to help out. The lesson: We need to
do a better job of looking out for each other and rallying around those who are
going through some stuff. Often times we act like we don't notice someone
who is suffering or experiencing a setback in life.
Most children will play for hours with kids who have different skin tones,
speak different languages, worship a "different" god and come from
the other side of the tracks. The lesson: We need to stop dividing
ourselves and learn to "play" with each other, regardless of our
differences. Most only want to worship with those who look or believe
like they do. Many conservatives can’t have a civil conversation with a
more liberal thinking individual. Usually our Facebook and Twitter pages
are full of people who look, think, act and believe the way we do. Just
go to a park and sit for a few minutes and watch the kids. They just play
with whoever it is that wants to play and they have a blast doing it!
Kids are not afraid to take risks! They will raise their hands in
class, ask questions, volunteer to stand up in front of their peers and have no
problem putting their artwork on any available refrigerator! The
lesson: Learn to take risks again. Of course we can't be too
reckless, but it's OK to question some things, offer a bold solution at work
and take the risk that, as a result, can make you look like a complete loser, or a complete genius!
If you have ever had to punish one of your kids, you know that after the
tears, harsh words and anger that they can at times display, they come back and
want to hug you, hold you and love you. The lesson: Love those you
care about unconditionally. God loves me in spite of the mess I make in life,
so it is only reasonable that I strive to do the same for others. So they
begin to live a lifestyle you disagree with; pray for them. So they made
a choice that you believe is foolish; be there to help them when they recover from
their foolishness. So they make decisions that you feel are not the best
choices; love them anyway!
Hopefully this series of lessons are an eye opener for someone besides me.
Sure kids don't have the wisdom that only experience can bring, but if we bring
a healthy balance of wisdom and some positive, childlike traits, perhaps
our lives will be just a little less stressful, a bit less hateful, more
tolerant and an overall better place for everyone.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share or to add your own lessons on
the comment page! Want to read more? Check out a post about respect I uploaded earlier this year: http://jonathanpantages.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-happened-to-respect.html
