— Life —

Resuming Life as a Kindergartener

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I was doing some end-of-year organizing in my office when I noticed a small, worn book that carried a big punch. Nestled among more contemporary works from John Maxwell and Malcolm Gladwell was a bestseller from 30 years ago, with advice that surpasses all the gurus of success. With a fresh cup of coffee, I set aside my busyness and read the entire book.

Three decades ago, Robert Fulghum wrote All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten. In this collection of life stories, he shared “uncommon thoughts on common things,” with principles that are so simple, yet often forgotten as we search for more complicated self-improvement tips.

Fulghum was right: Wisdom is not found in higher education, leadership development courses or self-help books. It is found in “the sandpile at Sunday school.”

As we look toward a new year, let’s keep things simple as we return to the basics; the things our parents and teachers taught us when we were young, impressionable, and dependent on their wise guidance. The good old days of The Golden Rule, boundaries and respect. The times when life was not so hectic but full of wonder. It’s not that difficult to find deeper meaning in life when you focus on Fulghum’s advice.

  • Share everything.
  • Play fair.
  • Don’t hit people.
  • Put things back where you found them.
  • Clean up your own mess.
  • Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
  • Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
  • Wash your hands before you eat.
  • Flush.
  • Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
  • Live a balanced life—learn some, think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work some every day.
  • Take a nap every afternoon.
  • Watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
  • Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down, and the plant goes up, and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
  • Goldfish and hamsters, white mice, even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup—they all die. So do we.
  • Remember the Dick-and-Jane books, and the first word you learned—the biggest word of all—LOOK.

Living a good life comes down to these simple lessons. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Be generous, kind and respectful. Practice self-care, play a lot, and never cease to experience wonder in little things.

I think I’ll keep this little book in a prominent place on my desk as a reminder to approach life like my four-year-old granddaughter, with childlike awe and unbounded love for the world.

Cheers to living like a kindergartener in 2017!


8 Comments

  • 1010ParkPlace December 27, 2016 at 8:23 am

    The basics we learned as kids are pretty much all we need… And we think we’ve gotten smarter as we get older! Ha! I spent Christmas with a five and a 10-year-old, and in some ways, they were wiser than all the adults. Thanks for the reminder, Susan. xoxox, Brenda

    • Susan Tolles December 28, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      It is so refreshing to spend time with children, isn’t it Brenda? Makes us slow down and appreciate the little things in life. I watched my granddaughter play dress-up for hours one day, and she didn’t have a care in the world. We definitely need to play more and strress less!

  • Diane December 27, 2016 at 9:54 am

    True wisdom is diluted by the years. Embrace those early, wise days again!

    • Susan Tolles December 28, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      So true, Diane! I love what comes out of the mouths of babes! Always wise…and funny!

  • Beth December 27, 2016 at 10:47 am

    Gosh I remember when a post of that list of instructions seemed to be everywhere. The book was crystal wisdom for us all. And it still is.

    • Susan Tolles December 28, 2016 at 2:50 pm

      Beth, my little book is worn and yellowed, but still priceless! I wish I’d found it hiding in my bookshelves a long time ago! Might have saved me time and resources as I bought so many self-help programs over the years.

  • Karen @BakingInATornado December 28, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    Great philosophy. I think we all need this kind of a reminder now and then.

  • Susan Tolles December 28, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    Karen, life-changing principles don’t have to be complicated and hard to follow, do they? Just following the Golden Rule will help us get far in life. Thanks for your comment!

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