Life Lessons
Lessons you can learn from kids
Let that child out every once in a while, won’t you?
No, I don't have kids. But I have a whole lot of nieces and nephews who I adore. They all look up to me as their artistic Aunt, but I look to them for inspiration and living life.
Why do you ask? Because they are just themselves. They don't care about being judged, are not conscious about their looks or appearance, and have that innate curiosity to learn and try new things, ask questions about everything, share honest opinions about anything, make friends quickly, dance freely and are just altogether happy.
But have you noticed that once these kids grow up (let's take a look at ourselves, too), they tend to lose some of those qualities? I bet some of those above qualities we had as kids; just vanished as we grew up. We're so afraid of being judged. Afraid of what other people think of us. Afraid of voicing honest opinions on topics. We get angry if we make mistakes and when something doesn't go our way. We have also forgotten to have fun. I get it; we have to be responsible, grown-up adults who have everything figured out in life. But it won't harm us to embrace our inner child every once in a while, yeah? Not every little quality we had as kids, but some of them could be a worthy addition to our repertoire of skills, don't you think?
Wait, what qualities?
The next time you are around your kids, nieces or nephews, observe their nature, behaviour, and innate interest to learn and discover things around them. These could be some of the lessons you can learn from them —
- Unbridled Curiosity: Children are naturally curious. They ask questions, touch, feel, and explore without hesitation. This reminds us of the importance of staying curious, asking questions, and never ceasing to learn. When my niece saw all my artwork, she never stopped asking me questions about how I did a particular piece, what materials I used, how to do it, and asking me to show her to draw certain elements and designs.
- Living in the Moment: Children are masters of mindfulness. They fully immerse themselves in whatever they do, whether playing, drawing, or observing. They teach us the value of being present and enjoying the moment. While we do the same sometimes, we often think of the future all the time, forgetting about enjoying the present. We are so lost in the hustling and bustling of life we forget to stop for a moment and relax.
- Limitless Imagination: A cardboard box can become a spaceship, stick, or magic wand. Children remind us that imagination has no bounds and is a powerful tool for problem-solving and creativity. I had a niece who used pieces of cardboard that I saved for making jewellery to make cute small sculptures that she gave imaginative names and has now put on her wall/study table.
- The Value of Play: Play is a child's work. Through it, they learn, grow, and understand the world. As adults, we often forget the importance of play, but it's crucial for creativity, relaxation, and even problem-solving. So next time someone asks you to play a game with them, be it simple or complex, go and play one. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Isn't that the phrase?
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Children are often more adaptable than adults. They can easily adjust to new situations, environments, and people. This adaptability reminds us to be more open to change and to embrace new experiences. Rather than complaining and groaning about a new task or being assigned to a new team, keep an open mind and find ways to adapt or work around the situation.
- The Importance of Communication: Even before they can speak, children find ways to communicate their needs, desires, and feelings. They remind us that communication isn't just about words but also about gestures, expressions, and actions. I was going through an awful period a couple of months ago, which my niece noticed, and she made me the most adorable card I now have on my wall, and I make sure to read it every morning to make myself feel better.
- Continuous Learning: Every day is a learning experience for a child. They are constantly absorbing new information, skills, and experiences. This serves as a reminder that learning is a lifelong journey, and there's always something new to discover. This is a valuable lesson for us as we navigate life and careers — keep learning, continuously upskill, find new things to learn and repeat.
- The Power of Observation: Children learn a lot by observing the world around them. They notice details that adults often overlook. This teaches us the importance of being observant and learning from our surroundings. When was the last time you walked in nature and observed the trees, the sky, the birds and everything else?
- The Joy of Simple Pleasures: The laughter of a child chasing bubbles or the wonder in their eyes when they see a butterfly can teach us to appreciate the small, everyday miracles around us. I had got a box of beads that I had forgotten about and stored it somewhere. When my niece asked if I had some, I got them out, and she shouted glee on seeing the beautiful shape and colours — which I had never noticed. And she proceeded to take them all out, spread them on my bed and started making cute little pieces. And by the end of 3 days of working with beads, I started making jewellery too. Like the joy we both got out of making them was unbeatable.
Embrace some of these qualities occasionally, won’t you? We don’t have to be a grown-up always — sometimes it helps to enjoy life, pursue the hobbies you loved as a kid, keep learning and discovering new things to do, go out and run and play, imagine things up maybe, every once in a while and find joy in the littlest and most straightforward of things in life. You will have a renewed sense and purpose in life, learn to embrace mistakes and failures and celebrate the wins. Like a kid. It’ll be the best thing you will do.
