You know, it’s often been said that we’re here to teach and guide the next generation and show them the right path. But parents often forget that our children are little people too, and they have a great deal to teach us.
At only four years of age, my son Nathan often amazes me with the things he does. Of course, he often frustrates, angers me and destroys everything I own, but it wouldn’t be growth otherwise, right?
Yesterday, My wife and I brought Nathan to a local park. As soon as he arrived, he immediately made friends with all the children there. And that’s usually his way. Incredibly it doesn’t matter where we go or what children are there, he always manages to make friends everywhere he goes.
I think there’s an important lesson to learn from this. As we grow into adulthood, we move away from our ability to befriend people in general. We develop cliques, join specific groups and (sometimes unintentionally) segregate ourselves from certain environments.
My son will walk into a group of children and automatically take to them, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or gender. His willingness to play and enjoy life side-by-side with anyone he meets is genuinely amazing and is how we should all behave.
What would the world be like if we approached our own societies this way? Imagine if warring states could walk towards each other and just become friends? All the wars and conflicts that could be avoided? How much better would our society be?
We can learn a lot from our children. In some ways, they’re very much like a blank slate that hasn’t been sullied by runny paint. Some of their ways before becoming influenced is what we, as adults should aspire to be. ☯
The Blogging Buddhist 