Life Lessons from a 3 year old

I learn so much about what is truly important in life just by watching my 3 year old. My youngest was peacefully born at home into the arms of his father and I have appreciated life ever so much more since that amazing experience. He has taught me to:

1. Listen to your body.
   
• Eat when you're hungry, not starving.
  
• Choose from a variety of colorful foods.
  
• Stop eating when you don't feel hungry anymore, even if there is just a bite or two left, and even if it's dessert or something you love that is super delicious.
  
• Drink water. With meals and throughout the day.
  
• Go to bed or take a nap when you're tired.
  
2. Love unconditionally and make it known.
   
• Cuddle with someone in your warm cozy bed before starting your day. Take the time to greet the world slowly and with love.
• Say "I Love You" several times a day, even if you have to scream it to the person in another room when you cannot pull yourself away from what you are doing.
• Give hugs to everyone you love every day and for no apparent reason.
• Climb into someone's lap and ask them to nice or scratch your back. Relax and fully enjoy the pleasurable experience without any guilt.
3. Trust yourself.
   
• You make good decisions for yourself.
  
• Trust those who love you. They'll make good decisions to help you.
• Demand what you need and don't give up.
  
• Be willing to compromise with things you merely want, but push hard for it at first, just in case you can get it.
• The world and each person you meet is here for you and you alone.
  
• You are here for the world and each person with whom you interact.
  
• It's okay to wear your cozy PJs all day sometimes.
• It's okay to be nekkid in your own home.
4. Use your body.
   
• Run around.
  
• Use more muscles by putting up your arms to fly.
  
• Smile while you run.
  
• Get others to run with you, it's more fun with friends.
  
• Balance and bend (with feet flat on the floor and knees bent all the way until it looks like you are sitting on your tush but you're not) several times a day to play on the ground or as the perfect vantage point to follow ants patiently.
• Walk on your tippy toes every so often. Just because. Jump up and down.
  
5. Play every day.
• Play by yourself. Enjoy your own company and imagination.
  
• It's great fun when you get to set your own rules to the games.
  
• Play with others. Work out disagreements or walk away, sometimes in a huff when you cannot work it out, then remember to do #7.
• Play outside every day. Get some sunshine on your skin, it feels good.
  
• Believe you can do whatever you imagine, even if you cannot yet really do it; when you imagine you are doing it, it can be just as fun and real as actually doing it. Tell others of your "experience" with great excitement.
• Scream in glee ("woohoo!" or "yeah, baby!") when you win. Congratulate others when they win.
• Play with the unexpected and in more creative ways than anyone can imagine. The box it comes in can be more fun than the thing itself: it's a rocket, a house, an airplane, a car, an office, a farm, a great place to hide. Appreciate things in new ways. This could also be my lesson to Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
  
• Draw, color, create. Show it to others and explain what you have made.
  
6. When something bothers you or you get hurt, it's okay to cry. Then let it go and move on. Know that there is something else for you to do.
7. Ask for help when you need it. Get louder if no one hears you. That also teaches to never give up.
   
8. When you make a mistake, come to the person, apologize, tell them what you did, apologize again, and ask them to help you fix it.
9. Smile, a lot. Be happy and grateful just to be here.
   
10. Speak and Listen. Share and Learn. Enjoy.
    

Watching him engage the world is fascinating to me. He doesn't need much, but what he does need, he is sure he gets. He wakes up, and after his cuddle in bed, greets the world with pure joy, wonder and excitement. Life is good and all is well.