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Every child is taught algebra and composition of solids, liquids, and gases as a part of their school syllabus. A major part of their childhood is spent learning about the history of battles that took place before they were even born or the grammar of secondary languages that nobody would remember while talking, as long as the sentences made sense.
Parenting often revolves around overprotecting and helping children in every matter as they grow to be adults, or teaching them manners to form a perfect, civilized angel. However, what most of the teachers and parents forget to teach children as they grew to be adults, are some basic life skills, which could make them happy human beings who are ready to lead happy lives outside of their parental nests.
Here are five lessons that every child should be taught while growing up to help them lead a happy, successful life.
1. Looks, images, and perceptions are all superficial:
Looks can never determine what the person holds within. The color of the skin, the way people choose to dress up or the way their accent twists while speaking are all things that should matter the least. The image you associate with what a person looks like is what describes you as a person. Every person is different, layered, and special, like a mystery novel.
You really can’t know what that person or the story holds by looking at the cover of the book. Talk to people; get to know them before you form any perceptions about how they are, and you’ll realize that the most special abilities are found in the people that you least expected could possess them.
2. Your smile and laughter are your biggest assets:
Whenever you enter a new class, a new school or become a part of a cultural exchange programme in a foreign country, remember that the three biggest assets that you have which will help you make friends, get adjusted, as well as earn you the respect you think you deserve are your values, your smile and the ease with which you laugh. The world is filled with people who spread disappointment. Be the beacon of light that spreads happiness with your laughter. People always miss the chirping of birds that come with the first rays of sun promising a new day. They never miss the hooting of the owl as the night proceeds on. So be the chirping bird who brings a new hope and spread happiness, because what goes around comes around too.
3. Most of the best things happen only when you step out of your comfort zone:
The mountain hike is too difficult to do, it’s not meant to be done by you. You’re not comfortable while speaking in front of the public, maybe that’s not your cup of tea. Paragliding? No, no, no, I don’t want to break a bone if I fall. You can never know how good you are at a skill, or how well you can perform an art unless you give it a try. Get out of the regular boring pattern that you follow, break free from the cocoon that prevents your growth from becoming a butterfly and tries the things that you’re most afraid to do. You can never know if you’ll succeed or fail at a new challenging situation until you give it a shot. So get out of your comfort zone and try those adventures of life, that you are so afraid to try because only then will you learn and be a better, more experienced person.
4. It’s not the altitude that matters, it’s your attitude that does:
We always teach our children to work harder, to be successful when they grow up, but what we mostly forget to teach them is that it is not the attitude that matters. It is the attitude that you have with your subordinates that matters the most. Keep your feet planted firmly on the ground even when you aim to reach the skies. It’s very easy to forget the lands from where you started because you don’t have to care for the land when you can stand on top of the clouds. But the clouds never promise to protect you from falling during a storm like the roots of a tree do. So hold on to your roots and be nice to those around you while you work your way up to reach your destination.
5. Life happens for you:
In the recent times when social media is being used as a tool to show how difficult it is to live life on this planet. How “life” has become the other word for unhappiness or depression. Teenagers and young adults are seen posting depressing and dark pictures with the caption about how “life happened to them”. What people today have forgotten is that ungrateful people can never be happy no matter what you give them. Remember life happens for you. If you got everything you ever wished for, you would never be able to cherish the things and luxuries of life that you do get every day. Be grateful for whatever little you have, because gratefulness generates happiness.
In order to live a life that everyone remembers delete the software that makes you judge people based on their looks, be grateful and expect less to always be surprised with what you receive. And most importantly smile and laugh and just be happy!
