The Things i'd Like to Teach my Children

I have been thinking over some of the life lessons that I have learned over my 25 years, here are a few I feel are important, and I hope I can teach my children so they don't have to learn the hard way like I did/have. I'm also the type of person who has to continue to work on my self, so it's not like I've mastered all of these.

The Things i'd Like to Teach my Children 

1. Judging others leaves very little room to love others, and leaves you feeling exhausted and upset. It isn't our place to judge another person that we don't know, and it's even harder not to judge a person we do know, when we feel their decisions go against our own morals and values. Don't allow yourself to waist your mental energy on this. I am guilty of doing this, and I work on it often. It's hard, but worth it.

2. There are appropriate times to make judgement calls about another persons intentions and character. We all judge, or in better terms assess those who we first meet by how they look, or how they are acting. It's not necessary to be best friends with every person you meet. certain types of personalities, or people aren't going to be your favorite cup of tea, and some people are dangerous or unhealthy to be around.  Be kind to them anyway, or avoid them if it's the best thing for you. There's no need to surround yourself with toxic people.  

3. Bigotry,Racism and Sexism are not okay. no one has a right to be hateful to those who hold close to them different values and morals than we do. Realize though, that it is also unrealistic to expect yourself to never be hateful towards another person who has hurt you, your friends or family, or to not feel upset and hateful towards things people do that hurt themselves and others. work on forgiving them, grudges will make you miserable.

4. Most people are inherently good, we all feel the same emotions, regardless if it's over the same types of situations. Remember this, we are all fighting a different battle, be understanding.

In all this, i'm not telling you to befriend individuals who scare you, or who hurt other people. I'm not telling you that it's acceptable behavior to treat others badly because of mental disabilities, or drug addictions. I am asking you to understand why people do the things they do, and have compassion. There may come a time in your life that you will need a helping hand, or a smile from a stranger, a caring individual to pick you up when you are down, and in that moment they will be an angel to you. It may not be who you pictured it to be either. Thank them. 

5. I hope you are loving and kind. I hope you have a place in your heart for the underdogs, and the individuals who are uniquely different. I hope you aren't afraid to find your self, your values and morals.Go against the grain of what everyone else believes if you don't agree with it, and find out who you are.

 6. life is to short to spend it unhappy, I hope that's something I can teach you, because it's the gold that makes the world a better place. Better than anything money could buy. Happiness is a choice for most of us, minus chemical imbalances, I hope above all, that you are happy people. that you don't judge others for their mistakes, and you try not to judge yourself harshly for your own short comings either. Work on them, and move forward in your life. Lacking optimism about the future, or your self worth will lead only to sadness, forgive yourself. Forgive others, and move forward. It's important an important step  to your happiness.