He's 5, turning 6 years old in November this year.
He taught me how to lose, and that competition is really the least of our worries most of the time. Try role playing a game of Star Wars with the kid, and you can be sure that you almost always end up the bad guy.
But that that does not matter, what matters is having fun during the game.
On that note, he taught me that there will be 2nd chances. Because all the bad guy has to do is pout after 'dying' 5 times, and the good guy will say "No no, now you have this shield, prringgg, you live again"
Because winning has always been important to me, and that if the chances of winning are less than losing, I rather not try to win. So, he taught me how to take risks - especially ones that involve being silly.
More importantly, he taught me the spirit of sportsmanship.
Curiousity, oh yes, he definitely taught me that. With the tons of mind-boggling questions, explanations of imaginations (which should never be explained anyway), he portrayed the importance of questioning.
And in that line, the importance of ever-learning, and even more important; patience. Have you ever tried having a conversation with a five year old? It's massively hillarious, interesting and frustrating all rolled into one.
Yet it's so important never to let that curiousity die. To know, and be reminded of the importance of curiousity, and the role I play in the continuous ignition of life's curiousity, that's key.
Can you believe he also taught me humility? To realise that you can learn the mantra "Don't worry, be happy" from a 5 year old? I remembered feeling absolutely down over a mistake I made, and this boy, this human who has only lived for 5 years had it in him to remind me something so basic and simple.
And then do be disciplined and committed in being a good role model when I want to teach good behaviour?
The numerous times I've been called out for not keeping to my behaviour/actions as promised definitely brings this 24 year old girl to shame.
Lastly, and perhaps the most most importantly, he taught me to be present. Do you remember the last time you looked at someone in the eyes, and really looked and see them there?
For the longest time, I believed myself to be present, to see people as they are. But no. Until that one day where he came in to the kitchen while I was doing some writing; I turned and looked at those earnest eyes, I had never been present before.
It's a really warm and real feeling when you are truly present with someone.
There's no lie when they say wisdom comes with age and experience, there's also truth when they say you can learn from anyone and everyone
P.S: It's been a long while since I've written, now that the other priorities in my life are more or less in place, I realised how much I missed writing. So here's attempting to get back to it. And what better way to do it then with a note of gratitude. Hey ya'all!
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