Quotography: Black and White

While we try to teach our children all about life
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Isn’t this quote so very true? It’s our responsibility to teach these precious little ones things like how to talk, get dressed, tie shoes and eat like civilized beings. And we certainly need to teach them how to stay safe in this world. But, while we’re all caught up in teaching, somewhere along the line, we stop being the student.

Children have so much to learn as they grow, but they have so much to teach as well.

Open-hearts and minds
A child’s heart and mind is open to all experiences. Fear is not intuitive with a child. Fear is learned behavior. A child is more focused on loving life and everything in it than worrying about what may or may not happen in the future.

Enjoy the journey
By design, a child cannot walk as fast as an adult. Have you ever tried to walk somewhere quickly while holding the hand of a young child? It can’t be done. They will slow you down, take their time and look at everything along the way. The world is a wonder, and they can enjoy the journey as well as the destination.

Child-like belief
A child is quick to believe and trust. They have yet to be corrupted with preconceived ideas about how life should or shouldn’t be. They don’t force their life into a little box, Anything is possible, if you believe.

Love unconditionally
This one only applies to children under the age of 10. After that, a child learns they can sometimes love conditionally. But life is so simple for a young child. Self-righteousness, pride and unforgiveness have not made them cynical and distrusting. Love life and everything in it without reservation. Receive love unconditionally and without hesitation. Love those you care about without parameters.

For a child, life is anything but black and white…it’s technicolor; full of possibilities and wonder; to be experienced fully and with reckless abandon so not to miss out on a single moment of joy.

Yes, we can learn a lot from children. If we’re not too busy trying to be the teacher.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all. ~Luke 18:17