5 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Children

Jan 13, 2019 by apost team

Oftentimes, people think that children are in the world for the sole purpose of attaining guidance from and submitting to adults. Yet in many cases, the actions and attitudes of children are a healthy model for adults who are seeking to learn about how they can lead healthier, productive lives. Below you'll find just a few of many lessons you can learn from children:

Typically, children do not hold back their emotions. A child who is sad or uncomfortable will cry without worrying about what others think. This open, uninhibited expression of self can be incredibly liberating because it empowers children to gain the type of self-knowledge that transpires when you acknowledge your feelings. Adults who wake up to the reality that emotions exist for a reason can find great freedom in recognizing and responding to the feelings they experience in a much more childlike way.

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As people grow older, they tend to live by the clock and calendar. Specifically, they are constantly thinking about the next activity, get-together, deadline, appointment, etc. While being organized in this way is important for life success, always operating in this manner can prevent you from experiencing and enjoying the present moment.

It's important to know that the temporal reality for a child is quite different than that of an adult. Specifically, a child's concept of time is not limited or constrained by things like dentist appointments, a contract that must be mailed by the end of the day, or a business meeting that begins at 3 pm.

Rather, they show up in schools, at dinner tables, and within their neighborhoods with an open mindset which enables them to be fully present with whatever is happening around them. When you approach reality with this outlook, you can fully enjoy what is going on rather than allowing things like a laundry list of chores to prevent you from living in the moment..

As many child psychologists know, children tend to be incredibly curious about the world around them. This reality can be seen in many ways, including the fact that children oftentimes enjoy playing outside in ways that enable them to explore nature and gain a deeper awareness of its intricacies.

This observant attitude will oftentimes entail deep enjoyment once a child recognizes patterns, sees beauty, or gains a clearer understanding of how the world around them really works. Unfortunately, adults often miss the opportunity to really observe and enjoy the world around them because they are constantly preoccupied with their responsibilities.

Whether they're playing in the dirt, with animals, or each other, it's safe to say that most children like to play. Because being playful is fun and can generate knowledge, it's no surprise that this mode of engaging the world can engender deep joy. Yet most adults fail to do it often enough. Don't make this mistake. Instead, get in the habit of playing without purpose. This means that you don't have to play with an end goal in mind. You can do things simply because they are fun!

Due to life experiences, adults oftentimes approach the world with a jaded outlook. Although this approach is natural, it's not the best way to live your life. For example, thinking that everyone is out to get you can preclude you from developing healthy, trust-based relationships with others.

When you approach the world around you in a childish manner rather than allowing walls to be built around your mind and heart, you can oftentimes avoid the competitiveness, aggression, and distrust that makes life difficult and dull.

Did this article inspire you to live in a more childlike way? Let us know in the comments and pass this along to your friends and family to encourage them to see the world through the eyes of a child, too!