Life Lessons We Can Learn from Children

We’ve all heard those old adages, for generations people have recognized the wisdom children inherently possess. There’s “you have to crawl before you walk,” and “from the mouth of babes.” While these are some of the more popular ones, there are plenty of lessons we can learn from the little ones. If you have children, watch your kids they’re trying to tell you something. If you don’t have children, think back to your younger days, when you weren’t so tainted.

1.Forgiveness

Have you ever watched children play together? Sure they get into fights, fall out, end friendships and then two minutes later they’re best friends again. Now of course adult transgressions can be a little bit bigger than not sharing your candy but almost everything can be forgiven. Sometimes we’re so hell-bent on holding a grudge that we miss out on some great relationships. It’s ok you can be their best friend again.

2.Believing anything is possible

If you’ve ever asked a young child what she wants to be when she grows up you’ll likely get a list of at least five careers. And the thing is they believe that all those things are possible. It’s only with age, experience and adult mentalities that children begin to think maybe all these things aren’t possible; and it’s an attitude we carry to the grave. It’s this same attitude the prevents us from reaching all of our goals.

3.Trusting and loving unconditionally

Unfortunately some children grow up in environments that aren’t rosy and peachy keen. Sometimes there’s abuse, drug use etc. You know the horror stories; and while this isn’t the case in every situation, most times children remain loyal to their parents, hoping that the situation will get better. Please, don’t get me wrong I’m not saying you should tolerate any type of abuse in your adult relationships but if it’s anything short of physical, verbal, emotional or psychological abuse try to trust that person, reminding yourself that you love them.

4.Honesty

You remember “Kids Say the Damnest Things”? A majority of the hilarious things those kids said was the God’s-honest truth. And that’s why it was so funny. We laughed at the realness of the kiddie comments. But in reality there was a message in that show, not that we should tell the truth to make people laugh; we should tell the truth because there’s a lack of honesty in the world today, everybody’s sugarcoating or out right lying about something. Just keep it real.

5.Expecting the best from people

A lot of kids make friends so easily because they don’t come equipped with the cynicism we cling to. Sometimes we can miss out on what people really do have to contribute because we’re so caught up on what we think they might do to offend us. If we went into new encounters with a positive, open mind we’d see and experience the best in people.

6.Not taking ourselves so seriously

Kids do some truly outrageous things and instead of being mortally embarrassed by their foolishness, they just laugh. We need some of that in our lives. There will be moments where you just need to let go and laugh. If you spend your life avoiding silliness at every cost you’re not enjoying the fullness of life and the intense satisfaction that comes when you laugh at utter nonsense.

7.Ask Questions

Children have this, often annoying, habit of asking questions, unceasingly. While it might get on your nerves, that’s how they’re learning. Somewhere around the middle school, teenage level we start to think it’s “uncool” to admit we don’t know something. So the practice of asking questions goes out the window. And we adopt a “fake the funk” method. It’s a dangerous, potentially embarrasssing lifestyle that can be completely avoided if you ask questions.

8.Be Teachable

Speaking of faking the funk, some of us are so sure we know everything about everything that we’re not willing to listen to what anyone else has to say. One of the best things about childhood is that children are willing to listen and take advice from people who’ve been there before and have something to offer. Sure the brains of  young children are still developing and need to be filled with something, but that openness in attitude  plays a big factor.

9.Asking for what you want

Have you ever been around a child who made some type of outrageous request? While you knew you weren’t going to grant that ridiculous wish, you had to admire their “moxy.” Kids are used to hearing no but somewhere along the line that word becomes a personal attack. So much so that we just stop asking for what we want or need because our fear of rejection has become so strong. Even if you don’t get what you want, you still have to try, people will respect that. And after all, the worst they can tell you is no.

10.Perseverance

In order to make it in life kids have to be equipped with an amazing sense of determination. Children fail repeatedly when they attempt a new task, crawling/walking, potty training, learning to read, riding a bike all present countless challenges; yet as children most of us surmounted them, because we thought the end goal was so worth it. Tap into some of your childhood determination and apply it to your adult journey.

NOS 1, 4 and 10 does it best for me. Having grudge wit someone is lyk letting dat person live rent-free in ones lyf. Forgiveness is also d 1st step in moving on. Nice write-up @ OP!

JohnnyPalmer: NOS 1, 4 and 10 does it best for me. Having grudge wit someone is lyk letting dat person live rent-free in ones lyf. Forgiveness is also d 1st step in moving on. Nice write-up @ OP!

Ya'rite bout d 4giveness part, but I personally like no 10 d most, no mata wat a little child won't stop until he gets wat he wants, at times suffer injury, at times cry but dey won't stop. Persevearance is d key!

Happy children's day!