Things Children Can Teach Us

~ A child can teach us three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be curious and to fight tirelessly for what you wish. ~ Paulo Coelho

Children can love unconditionally, forgiven sincerely. These small creatures are irresistible endlessly curious and everything they do, do with great enthusiasm. Unlike them, we run through life, caring for more obligations than their own happiness. The years and the experience that comes with them make us forget the carefree days of childhood and take from us the ability to appreciate things that fascinated us.

So, since they're still ours for the next 18 or so years, let's learn from them. Here's what children can teach us about happiness.

They go with their gut. 

Small children don't spend a lot of time fretting over whether they made the right decision. They'd much prefer to spend time fretting over whether you gave them the right color of cup at lunch.

Be a Dreamer

Another thing children do that makes their lives simple is that they so easily believe. They believe in magic and fairytales. They have no problem coming up with imaginary playmates or imagining life to be amazing and fantastic.

As adults, we need to move into the supernatural realm and start dreaming again. We need to create joy in our own lives. It's a right and privilege we have as children of God, but it's a decision we must choose to make.

Speak your mind

Kids have no filter. The call it like they see it, and they mean it. It can be a little embarrassing at times, but also very refreshing. If they don’t agree with something, or like something they will let you know. They have confidence in what they’re saying is the truth. They believe in themselves and express their feelings with no worries if it may offend anyone. As adults we must also deal with tact, and not offending everyone in the room, but it’s that art of saying what you mean in a way that doesn’t offend others, but gets your point across, that we strive for. If you always find you are looking back at situations and think, “I should have said this or that,” then maybe it’s time you actually did.

They dance. 

Do you know the expression, "Dance like nobody's watching"? They do that. Except for the all the times when they want to make damn sure that someone is watching.

Love unconditionally

I think this is one that children do best. They love and love some more, with no expectation of anything in return. Adding to the above lesson of giving selflessly, loving unconditionally is such a beautiful thing to see in a child. To witness the unconditional love my 22 month old has with her older sister no matter what her big sis does to her (like taking away a toy she is playing with), is such a sweet and touching sight. Learn to love unconditionally without expecting anything in return. I feel as a parent, this is something that comes with the territory. Of course you don’t have to be a parent to know how to love unconditionally, but the moment you look into the eyes of your newborn, you truly understand what this love without boundaries means. They are your life and your love. Unconditional love is true and pure love, by all means. And it is the kind of love we should all seek to attain and give.

They get excited

They get so excited! (But have a hard time understanding the "future," so be careful when you tell your son his birthday is coming up... in a couple months.)

They don't care if it's new

A child's favorite movies are the ones she's seen again and again. Her favorite books are the ones she's been read over and over. And if she has a favorite dress, she'll want to wear it every day. But adults? We're obsessed with new. We want to be the first to eat in a new restaurant, see a new movie or wear a designer's new "It" bag. Adults are really annoying like that.

They stop and smell the roses

They're big on smelling things. Of course, the irony is that so many small children aren't potty trained and don't seem to give a sh*t about their own you-know-what.

Laugh every day

~ A day without laughter is a day wasted. - Charlie Chaplin 

Children have the beautiful ability to find joy all around them. Just watch the humor a child can find in a shopping mall or at the park. They see silliness everywhere.

Focus Your Attention

Another way you can simplify your life is to practice doing one thing at a time. Multitasking may be popular, but the Bible tells us to give our mind to what we are doing.

They accept compliments

When you give a child a compliment, she'll probably answer with either "thank you," or "I know."

They nap

They may go into it kicking and screaming, but most little children nap and wake up new-and-improved. We'd all be a little better off if we napped.