“Let the incredible young wisdom, insights and positive outlook of children inspire and motivate you.” Sarah Virag
“Would you like to hear my new song, Mummy? I just made it up.”
“It’s called ‘Reggae Potato’.”
Cue an abrupt step back to the glorious 7am reality of life with an eight year old.
Just as my mind was starting to gear up for what lay ahead for me (regular writing schedule, Coaching webinar starting in 40 minutes, two Skype meetings, journalist/writers evening in my home town…), I was stopped in my tracks.
“Of course, darling!”
A deliciously funny interlude over our Weetabix – followed by a major explosion of the giggles – had me thinking about the numerous times when my children have provided me with exactly what I needed, just at the right moment in time.
This morning it was all about re-focussing on this special little person, and everything important in her immediate world.
With two (young) adult children to boot, I’m able to enjoy the dynamics of parenting and guiding both older and younger children in tandem, which is a very exhilarating process. There’s never a dull moment when you are shooting from discussing design layout for a new web platform at one end of the spectrum – through the life and times of a gorgeous 19 yo Au Pairing in Milan in the middle – right through to the early morning strains of ‘Reggae Potato’ (with dance moves).
A chip off the old block?
We all aspire to passing on the best of ourselves to our offspring, of course. Sometimes they show a flair for sport, the arts or music or handling numbers (or people) – which is guaranteed to delight a parent with the same skills.
But do we ever stop to consider the huge impact they have in our own, day to day, lives?
Here’s a little round up of life lessons that my own three incredible children have reinforced in me over the span of the past 22 years since I first became a Mum!
These lessons apply to all of us – whether we are six or sixty years old!
- True love is non judgemental and unconditional.
- Natural enthusiasm will take you far in life! It opens both doors, and the heart (and ears) of others.
- Kindness should never be measured. When it overflows everyone benefits.
- Be curious. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but the desire to learn and expand your thinking is a fantastic attribute, whatever your age.
- Look for new adventures. The fun shouldn’t stop when you become an adult. The most incredible stories of a life well lived, as told by the elderly, are often the most inspiring and fascinating. Be a lifelong adventurer.
- Stop and enjoy the moment (as I did this morning, thanks to my gorgeous daughter!). Sometimes you’ve just got to let it all go and not take yourself so seriously. The world will not stop turning because you didn’t play by the rules once in a while, so do try to avoid the pent up stress which is created when you refuse to let go of endless demands.
- Be naughty occasionally! When I say naughty, I mean don’t beat yourself up for every little transgression in your day! Did you have a few extra calories? Miss a gym class? Spend a little more on those new undies than you wanted to? Let it go!
- Say it like it is. As adults we play by endless social rules and niceties. Most of them necessary for our communal welfare of course. But sometimes? Sometimes you just need to say it like it is. As a child would. Not to be unkind. Not to harm. But just to get your message across very clearly. I love and admire the honesty of children.
- Don’t agonise over everything. As my youngest said recently after some minor incident in the classroom;
“It was just a fart in a teacup”
(I think she meant ‘storm’, but I got the message..)
In other words; learn to observe, move on and forget day to day slights. Children are masters of this, whilst we adults still have such lot to learn about moving on!
So the next time you find yourself having some one on one time with a mini human – look a bit deeper. Is there a lesson they are sharing?
What can you observe and learn from a child today?
Originally published at www.sarah-virag.com