All I really need to know...

Recently baby brother graduated high school...holla!! I barely cried. So proud of myself. He was of course as handsome as ever in his cap and gown. One thing that stood out to me...besides watching baby brother walk across the stage, was one of the graduation speeches. I am 26, I have graduated high school and college and have heard my fair share of some really motivating, encouraging, go get em' grad speeches. Do I remember any of them? Nope. Not a single one. I am sure they all sounded great at the time.

As this girl was standing at the podium reading her speech, I found myself nodding at everything she was saying. It was genius. Everything she was talking about is so true, and I thought to myself..."I need to be living my life according to these rules...and so should everyone else for that matter." The speech she was reading...well, here it is.

All I really need to know, I learned in Kindergarten

by Robert Fulghum

most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sand pile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

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 and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

I know a great deal of 20 somethings that definitely could learn a thing or two from this poem. How funny is it, that as we grow older we all try to complicate things...when really life should be so simple as sharing everything and playing fair. I have been saying for years that I need a job that requires nap time...I would for sure excel at that. Cookies and milk in the afternoon? Yes, please!

If only all our politicians and world leaders could follow these simple lines...saying sorry when you hurt someone does go a long way, taking things that aren't yours is not very nice, hold hands and stick together...I think sometimes we are so caught up in our own battles that we forget to reach out and hold on to someone when they need us the most.

Who knew at the ages of 4 or 5, we learned some of life's most valuable lessons. Too bad most of us have forgotten them.