Life Lessons
The Healthy Life

Children are amazing little creatures, and they offer many valuable life lessons. Their curiosity about damned near everything (Why is the sky blue?), to the amazement at things that we, as adults, sometimes take for granted (bugs).

A lot of us spend time in our own heads wishing that we could go back to being a kid again. And for good reason. Our lives have become so hard (or are we just telling ourselves this) and we long for simpler times.

Well there is good news. We can learn a lot from our four foot tall friends.

Here are my top ten life lessons that we should all remember.

• 1. Tomorrow is a new day.
  One of the most important life lessons to remember. Whatever the problem of the hour is right now, and however dire the situation may seem, tomorrow will come. And with tomorrow we have a chance to embrace life and explore new opportunities. In the words of the great Bob Marley, "Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be alright."


• 2. Be super inquisitive.
  Children are like a sponge. They soak up information like nobody's business. Then they come back for more. At age five, a child is using 80% of their brain capacity!! By the time we hit thirty five, we are down to using 10-15%. Read, ask questions, watch an informational show on PBS or The History Channel or National Geographic Television. Do puzzles and play games that challenge the mind.


• 3. Make some new friends.
  Take a child to the park or to a pool and even if they don't know a soul there at first, they certainly will in just a few minutes. Kids do not give a rats ass about the other children' height, weight, religion, ethnic background, the kind of vehicle they arrived in, the house the live in or how much money they make. WHO CARES. Say hello to people and strike up a conversation.


• 4. Jump in puddles.
  Just have fun. Loosen up a little bit. We have a tendency to take ourselves to damn seriously. Jump in a puddle, or walk on a wall. Whistle a tune while you walk. Blow bubbles. I know it sounds silly, that's the point!


• 5. Play every day.
  You have something that you love to do. Might be sports or maybe it's cards or needlepoint. It doesn't matter. Find the time to do something you love every day. When you are on your death bed what are you going to wish you did more of? Office reports or play a game? That's what I thought.


• 6. It is okay to ask for help.
  Most children know their own limitations and will ask for a hand IF they need it. As we get older some of us think we can move the refrigerator all by ourselves. Jesus. No wonder people have back problems. It is okay to call someone for help or advice.


• 7. Live in the now.
  Feel the moment. Live it. Don't let anything spoil it. If you are playing a game, reading a book or stargazing, just enjoy that moment. Leave work at work.


• 8. Care about others.
  What if we donated one hour per week of our time to help those in need? I think you'll agree that we would all be better off. Don't think the human race is worth saving? Go to your local SPCA. I sometimes think that if kids were in charge of the world, it would be a better place. Give of yourself.


• 9. Listen to music and sing away.
  Try to imagine a world without music. Exactly!! Children love to sing. When we get older we tend to see those activities as silly. We worry about what others will think. Who cares!! Sing away. It just feels good.


• 10. Early to bed, early to rise. This may be challenging depending on your job and life, but it is worth trying to do as often as possible. Turn off the television and go to bed. Set the alarm and get up.

These ten life lessons from children are invaluable. Do your best to implement as many of these life lessons as possible on a daily basis. Your life with thank you for it.

Related pages:

Personal core values
Definition of lifestyle
Healthy lifestyle factors
How to live a healthy lifestyle
Needs vs wants
Personal growth solutions
Signs of depression in men
Time management is important
Typres of responsibility