I'm Forever Learning

I am still learning by Francisco de Goya

Children are great teachers.
Adulthood does not mean having all the answers and knowing everything despite the amount of experience accrued over the years. People are constantly learning, even when they ignore it.

How many times have we heard folks saying “Oh, hush child! You’re too young to know what you’re talking about!”? This imperative has always confused me, because I regard children as a well of knowledge:

  • They transmit their inner thoughts; that although simple (since conveyed in basic language) expose very complex truths (making us wonder about the source of such veracities).
  • Their innocence is a beam of light upon our corrupted adulthood.
  • Their existence reminds us that we are liable for the future of mankind: thus, moulding children means not manipulating them to our own image; but it signifies to work with their nature and aid them to ethically develop.
  • Their childishness teaches us how not to behave. Adults can be childish too (due to their hidden wish to be “forever baby”) and children represent a deterrent to such behaviour; since grown-ups, when looking at them, are intrinsically reminded of the duty to shape them.

Now, if we borrow the mystical view of reincarnation, the statement “you’re too young to know what you’re talking about!” can be made redundant for we may very well be looking at a 5 year-old infant with a 500 year-old soul, who recalls pretty well his/her past experiences. We may be 50 years old, have a 100 year-old soul and not even remember what we had for lunch yesterday. Who do you think knows more (by not only having a better memory of the past but also by making better use of it)?

Adults should respect children more. They should respect their intellect and emotions more.
Nevertheless, adults should teach them hierarchy (even if knowing more, the ones who were born first have always priority in the road of life), discipline and manners. Allowing children to run wild and being too respectful towards their nature, intellect and individuality is irresponsible and a sign of neglect.

Children are beams of light however adults are retro-reflectors (who reflect light back to its source with a minimum scattering of light).

Comments

  1. MAX - It is forever a balancing act to respect children while commanding some respect from them, for their elders, for law and authority.

    Indeed, we can learn from them because they are so much less defended than we adults are, so much closer to the heart (and meaning, though not in a literal sense) of our life experience.

    Above all, we must remember to set a good example. Society often falls short of this ideal--both we as individuals, and collectively.

    Children are our future. They are flowers to be grown with tender nurture and respect, as well as reasoned and balanced discipline.

    Thank you for piquing my thoughts on this. Happy New Year to you, my dear Max!

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  2. Hi Max,

    This reminds me of the song, Greatest Love Of All. "I believe the children are our are future/ Teach them well and let them lead the way/Show them all the beauty they possess inside/Give them a sense of pride to make it easier/Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be..."

    Children are our greatest treasures. I can sit and talk with them for ages. They need gentle guidance from adults too to help them hone their light.

    Happy New Year!

    Beaming Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Lynda :D!

    "It is forever a balancing act to respect children while commanding some respect from them, for their elders, for law and authority."

    True.

    "Above all, we must remember to set a good example. Society often falls short of this ideal--both we as individuals, and collectively."

    Agreed.

    "Children are our future. They are flowers to be grown with tender nurture and respect, as well as reasoned and balanced discipline."

    Beautifully put! Beautiful indeed.

    "Thank you for piquing my thoughts on this. Happy New Year to you, my dear Max!"

    Thank YOU for such gorgeous input :D!

    Happy New Year, my darling!

    Cheers

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  4. Hey Lady A,

    Awww, I used to love that song; but then I listened to it so many times that I grew tired of it. Nevertheless, its lyrics are beautiful and so true.

    "Children are our greatest treasures. I can sit and talk with them for ages. They need gentle guidance from adults too to help them hone their light."

    Absolutely true and beautifully said!

    My dear Lady A, thank you so much for your input (loved it) :D!

    Happy New Year Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Max! For the most part children are defined by the way adults talk and listen to them.

    Failing those basic needs will earn the ire of those who seek knowledge and love at an early age, and who may go onto emulate those who should have known better.

    What we need is for children's clear and unblemished eyes to look forward to the future, so that we may rest assured of our future as well.

    Take Care,
    Peter

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  6. Max:

    What a great topic. I have always had a special place in my heart reserved for children. I love the way they are so honest and open. And it's a great amusement to listen to children when they don't know you are there. The things they say and do are so hilarious, and yet sometimes filled with what appears to be so much wisdom that it's astounding. I was once in a courtroom when the judge asked a small child no more than five years old which parent she would like to live with. And the child didn't hesitate a microsecond before answering, "I want to live with my mommy and my daddy." It was so touching. We should listen more to our children than to our politicians.

    Happy trails.

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  7. hi max
    wish you a wonderful 2011!!
    children...aaah, i think they are just the most angelic beings ...and they should be given their due in individuality!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Peter :D!

    "Failing those basic needs will earn the ire of those who seek knowledge and love at an early age, and who may go onto emulate those who should have known better."

    So true.

    "What we need is for children's clear and unblemished eyes to look forward to the future, so that we may rest assured of our future as well."

    Very well said!! *bowing*

    Peter, thank you ever so much for your outstanding comment :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey Swu :D!

    "What a great topic."

    Thank you *bowing*!

    "I have always had a special place in my heart reserved for children. I love the way they are so honest and open. And it's a great amusement to listen to children when they don't know you are there."

    Ditto...

    "I was once in a courtroom when the judge asked a small child no more than five years old which parent she would like to live with. And the child didn't hesitate a microsecond before answering, "I want to live with my mommy and my daddy." It was so touching."

    Aww, so sweet! It is touching when they say such things, indeed...

    "We should listen more to our children than to our politicians."

    LOL oh man, the way things are going I must say: absolutely!

    Swu, thank you very very much for your awesome input :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Shooting Star :D!

    "wish you a wonderful 2011!!"

    Thank you, Happy New Year to you too :D!

    "children...aaah, i think they are just the most angelic beings ...and they should be given their due in individuality!!!!!"

    Agreed!

    Shooting Star, it is always nice to see you here (it had been a while): thanks for your input :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Zarf :D!

    Thank you so much for having read the article :D!

    Please know that you are always welcome amongst us *bowing*.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Max this is absolute truth, Matthew is my greatest teacher, if it wasn't him, I would never be able to know how to be a parent, how to raise a child, how to love your own child.

    We thought Matthew to describe things he does not know names for. Usually for the first time. Once he wanted to eat spaghetti, he told me: 'Mommy can I have straight long pasta'. I thought that was cute to mention here.

    Max you are the best with your posts as always.

    Anna :)

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  13. Hi Anna :D!

    "Oh Max this is absolute truth, Matthew is my greatest teacher, if it wasn't him, I would never be able to know how to be a parent, how to raise a child, how to love your own child."

    Aww, that is so cute! You are one proud mummy, I can tell that much :).

    "We thought Matthew to describe things he does not know names for. Usually for the first time. Once he wanted to eat spaghetti, he told me: 'Mommy can I have straight long pasta'. I thought that was cute to mention here."

    I love it when you talk about Matthew: you exude love! God Bless you!

    "Max you are the best with your posts as always."

    You are generous: thank you so much *bowing*!

    Anna, thanks for your input, girl! :D

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete

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