Lessons Learned From My Son: Part 1

Applaud and Cheer for People.

I remember just a few months ago, we were watching someone attempt something.
I can’t remember when it was or what it was. All I remember is my sons response.
We didn’t know this person at all. As I watched, I scrutinized in such a way that caused me to become critical of the person attempting the feat. It was a mediocre attempt at accomplishing a mediocre, easily completed task. It was comparable to jumping over a dandelion in the yard. I remember thinking, “Why are we watching this? This is a waste of time.” However, we continued watching.

When it was over, there was cheering by other onlookers. Then I became aware of a faint clapping sound from somewhere around my knees and a high-pitched ‘woo-hoo’!
I looked down at my son and the look on his face was indescribable.

He was beaming. The smile on his face, the clapping, the ‘woo-hooing’ and the jumping up and down told me that he was excited about what just happened. He was wide-eyed and in complete wonder.
He looked up at me with the smile still stretched across his face, then he looked back toward the direction of the person who had just finished…whatever it was. Let’s say this person had just thrown a ball up in the air and caught it…nothing important. Nothing amazing. Nothing all that interesting.

Yet my son saw someone who was successful and he deemed that small success worthy of applause and encouragement.
I looked down at my son as he continued smiling with a look of contentment upon his face.

I felt a twinge of shame. I had been critical of the performance while my son was just enjoying seeing someone enjoy what they were doing.
I started clapping, too. I even let out a ‘woo-hoo’!
Then I said, “Wow, that was good wasn’t it, son?”
He looked up at me and still smiling said, “Yeah, dad! It was good!”

What I learned was to enjoy little things in life (especially the little things) and to applaud and cheer when someone accomplishes something. No matter how small.

Little things are happening all the time. We should look for them and offer encouragement when we see them.

to have the wonder and awe of a child,
– Caleb