Life’s Most Important Lesson…

One of my trusted guides in this whole writing process has suggested different topics for me to ponder and pontificate on… well, maybe she did not say pontificate, but discuss.

As I read through my topic list this morning, one idea struck me.

What is the most important lesson I have learned in life?

I have looked at that topic and passed right by it many times.  I thought, what IS the most important lesson?  Seemed too heady for me.

Now, as I thought about it this morning, it’s not.

The most important lesson I have learned in life is…to be kind.

Being kind.  That sounds mundane, boring, trivial even.  But it’s not.

Having worked with children for many years, and most recently with young children, one of the classroom rule’s we always had was to be kind to each other.

My teaching partner and I always thought that was a great goal… but the best part was that the KIDS came up with that!

They actually said, “We should be nice to each other.”

Their words not ours.

Amazing how us grownups can screw that up.

Being kind seems like it should be simple. 

Don’t we start to hear that message at a young age?  Be nice to you sister or brother, be nice and share your toys with your friends.  Be nice to the people we meet at the store… etc.

But, is being kind simple?  Is it as simple as the lessons our parents tried to teach us?

I don’t think so.

As an adult, being kind takes work. 

Being kind means that you are going to choose to treat someone else well…maybe even better than yourself.

Being kind means noticing.  Noticing other people around you. Noticing if someone seems down, or off, or like they’re having a bad day.  Noticing even when it’s not convenient.

Being kind means taking the time.  Taking the time to say something nice, do something nice, or even just smile at someone else.

Being kind means deciding.  Deciding to notice others, and consciously be aware of people around you.

Little kids, if you watch them, are really, really, good at this.

While teaching preschool, I saw this often.  If someone came into the classroom and was having a hard time saying “bye” to Mom, or just feeling off, kids knew.

They were naturally intuitive to others, and would always try to help.  A simple gesture was often just asking, “Are you sad?” accompanied by a sweet little kid hug.

It always made a difference!

So, today, as we go about our busy adult lives, why not take the time, decide, choose and notice people around us.

Be kind to someone.  They will notice.   It matters.

Until next time,

Pam