One of our family friends recently had a baby boy. Getting to meet him for the first time last weekend really got me thinking about how much we have to learn from children. They live their lives a certain way and I think in some sense we should do the same:

Everything is new

Isn’t it amazing how children find even the simplest experiences completely amazing? I’ve seen toddlers completely mesmerised from chasing each other between two pillars at a shopping mall or jumping off a step, climbing back up, and doing it again. The smallest things in life can be really fun. While I’m not suggesting we put everything we come across right into our mouths, we shouldn’t depend on every little gadget or gizmo to make us happy.

Live in the moment

The concept of time is something a lot of young people don’t quite grasp. And I think that’s great. While sometimes it might be necessary for parents to teach that actions now have consequences later (like how spending all their pocket money might mean not getting to buy themselves a new toy) but there’s definitely value in only caring about what’s happening right here, right now. The past is gone and the future isn’t here. Appreciating the present is priceless.

Express your emotions

One other thing children are good at doing is letting their feelings out. Yes, there are the occasional sulks and pouts, but mostly it’s a case of laughing when they’re happy and crying when they’re sad. As we grow older, we find that we constantly need to keep our thoughts and feelings bottled up inside. At times it might be necessary to exercise a little restraint, but I definitely believe that learning to fully express whatever it is you’re going through does far less harm and far more good.

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“Life is too short for traffic.” – Dan Bellack

Isn’t it amazing how inspiration can find you anywhere? My latest bout came while I was walking to the gym. It made me wonder this: what road sign are you?

No Stopping

Are you the kind of person who races through life without ever taking the time to slow down and reflect? Are you the kind of person who feels guilty at doing nothing?  If you are, it’s only a matter of time before you find yourself completely out of gas. “No Parking” people are similar although not quite as extreme. Regardless of which of these you are, you’ve got to take time out to relax and stretch your legs before getting back on the road.

No Overtaking

Are you the kind of person who always puts the needs of other people first? There’s nothing wrong with being altruistic provided it doesn’t constantly do you harm. Much like people who constantly find themselves obliged to “Yield”, never considering your own needs is not very smart. You deserve good things in life and that sometimes you have to step up and take them. Nobody will be doing it for you, especially if you’re too busy doing it for them.

No U-Turn

Are you the kind of person who feels that there’s no turning back? Just because you’ve been doing something for a while and feel committed to following through, doesn’t mean you have to. Sometimes you’ve got to realise that it might be better to cut your losses and call it quits, whether that be in your personal or professional life. Take the road less travelled because the last thing you want is to wind up on a one-way street to a dead-end. Nothing is stopping you from starting over again and choosing a journey you actually want to take.

(To download your completely free copy of the South African or International edition of Work in Progress, right-click and save the relevant link. Then open, enjoy, and repeat as needed.)

“Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed.” – Blaise Pascal

It really is quite fascinating to come across research that changes the way we think. Who would have thought radios can cause wars and that we might all be racists. Apparently some people do.

(To download your completely free copy of the South African or International edition of Work in Progress, right-click and save the relevant link. Then open, enjoy, and repeat as needed.)