Lessons I Learned From My Toddler.
As most people know, I have two little girls—a rambunctious four-year-old and a very busy one-year old. And they are teaching me as much as I am teaching them. Here are some top lessons I have learned so far:
Every day is a fresh start. Wasn’t it always amazing how the end of a school day always felt so final and so finished? Because when you are young, every day feels like an eternity and a new day means new opportunities. Children don’t carry baggage from one day to the next. They start fresh.
Laugh every day. Children seem to have the innate ability to make everything fun and everything silly. Seriously, just watch the humor they can find during an average trip to the store. (And watch the smiles it can put on a strangers face.)
Be the hero. When a child tells you a story about school, they are usually the hero of their story. The world revolves around them. As we age, we don’t want to be conceited, so we downplay our accomplishments and achievements. We don’t want to brag. But in doing so, we often slip to the side of self-deprecation.
Notice the little things. My daughter is so in-tune with the world around her that she literally takes notice of everything. Something simple that I take for granted brings her immense joy and profound inspiration. When did we stop noticing the tiny miracles that surround us daily? We should open our eyes a little wider.
It’s okay to fall, but always get back up. My youngest is still perfecting the art of walking and she has taken quite a few tumbles. However, through every stumble and every fall, she manages to get herself back up. She doesn’t hang around in anger, frustration and self-doubt; she simply gets back up and keeps on moving.
Have persistence. My oldest daughter is extremely strong-willed. The word “no” doesn’t exist in her vocabulary and she is primed to be the next top lawyer. Her persistence to get what she wants reminds me that I need to do the same in my endeavors. Minus the tantrum, of course.
Smile and wave. Every time we are out, we get stopped at least once by a stranger—and my kids always smile, wave and converse back. I have come to realize the importance of interacting with others and being a part of the human experience.
Kids show us human nature, before all the social conditioning. They are a great inspiration for being yourself, staying in the moment and living life to the fullest.
