Teaching Children

Here’s an interesting quote, which I came across quite by accident:

“Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.”

Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

Even without ever seeing this quote before, I think I raised both my daughters with this philosophy in mind. Maybe that’s why one of them once thought the capital of the United States was England. LOL.

One daughter teaches third grade students and the other prosecutes juvenile delinquents. Yet, each in their own way, is working to make the world worthy of its children.

But one thing scares me. It seems that one of my daughters has taken up boxing at her gym. I hope it’s only for defensive purposes!