Take Care of Your People

Children sometimes get upset over some tiny thing they believe is unfair. Big deal, right? Do they really need to complain about something so unimportant? But we must understand — it matters TO THEM!

So they were disappointed — big deal? It is a big deal! Every time a child experiences unfairness, a little fragment of it is left behind in their soul. Next time, another fragment. They keep accumulating... until the child begins to understand that the world is simply an unfair place and people are simply unfair. Perhaps to protect themselves, perhaps by following others’ example — but soon they too begin to act unfairly. Towards their parents. Towards their brother. It would be easy to call them a bad child. In reality, we should first look at the behaviour patterns they have seen around them and what we ourselves have taught them. Nobody is born into this world bad...

We love seeing our children develop: intelligence, creativity, courage... But all of those pale beside whether the child has a kind heart. We cannot shape every part of a child’s character, but our influence on it is enormous.

I was walking out of the swimming pool when I noticed that my little boy was a bit sad. Big deal, right? It is a big deal! I asked what was wrong and discovered that I had not heard him say he wanted to open the pool door himself. A tiny thing, but it mattered TO HIM! We went back and I let him open the door.

My other little boy was hit by a door inside because he was standing in the wrong place. Big deal, right? It was his own fault! But no — this is not the moment to explain the path of a swinging door. Right now he is in pain; to him, the world was unfair. He does not need a lecture, he needs support. Someone to pick him up and comfort him. There will be time for the lecture later.

These moments may seem tiny and unimportant... But such things determine whether our children grow up with kind hearts or begin, fragment by fragment, to act unfairly too. And of course this does not apply only to children. Inside every person around us is a small child — and they all feel disappointed sometimes. They all experience unfairness. Our job is to be there and offer comfort. NOT to give a lecture. There will be time for that later. 😉

Take care of your people. Fragment by fragment, make the world a better place.