6 Valuable Life Lessons for Every Adult (Courtesy of My Kids)

I always thought adulthood would be great: no homework, staying up late, and cookies whenever I want. Ahhh…that special moment when perception meets reality. You know the one. There’s that first summer with no vacation. There’s that first moment when you humbly head to bed before 9 p.m. Or there’s that nervous glance at the scale when you understand what cookies for breakfast really means.

Adulthood is hard. And it’s been easy for me to get lost in all the responsibility and obligation that I forget what it’s like to have the optimism that came with my youth. Thankfully, I have my kids. They remind me of what it’s like to be young. And while I teach them every day about life, they’ve re-taught me some things I forgot. Here are 6 valuable life lessons for every adult, courtesy of my kids.

1. Enjoy the game, no matter where you sit. In February 2016, I took my oldest son Kellen to a Phoenix Suns game. As we looked for our seats, it didn’t take long for me to realize that we were in the very last row in the arena. I was disappointed. But Kellen? All he talked about all night was how we were at the “big basketball game” while he ate his popcorn with a big smile on his face.
   
   As adults, we can often get caught up in where we “sit.” We may not be happy with our financial situation, relationship status, or for many of us, our jobs. And while it’s a good thing to seek to improve our “seating,” do we still take time to enjoy who we are, where we are, and all that is around us?

2. Learn something new every day. My youngest son Nolan is almost 2 years old, and as you can imagine, he gets into just about everything. One of his favorite activities is to pull every book off the shelf. But he doesn’t just leave them on the floor for me to clean up. He always brings one to me because he wants to learn.
   
   It can be tempting to coast through life as an adult. After all, life is easier when all you do is eat, sleep, go to work, and watch TV. But that won’t improve your “seat” in life. There’s still so much to learn, if we only take the time. By simply reading regularly, I’ve learned important life lessons regarding leadership, finances, business, faith, and more. And if you don’t like reading, try taking a class or listening to a podcast.

3. Take chances. Kellen has always loved being in the pool, so after he turned 4, we signed him up for swim lessons. Unfortunately, he didn’t like it, especially going underwater, and we wondered if we wasted our money. Over the past year, we’ve taken him swimming quite a bit on his own. Each time, we would challenge him to practice the things he learned at swim lessons, but still he fought it. Finally, one day, he worked up the courage on this own, bobbed his head under water, and went for it. We were so proud, and I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him. But now, he does it all the time, simply because he was willing to take a chance.
   
   The older we get, the more we may want to play it safe. But we need to take chances in life. I’m not talking about heading to the roulette wheel and putting it all on “Red 32.” I’m talking about calculated risks. Apply for that dream job. Start that business you’re passionate about. And if you’re single, ask that girl/guy out. It may not be easy, but it’s amazing what can happen if you’re willing to take a chance.

4. “Keep trying, and you’ll get better.” If you’re a parent, you’re probably all too familiar with that line from our good friend, Daniel Tiger. It always reminds me of watching my kids learn to walk. I remember how often they would fall, only to get back up and try again.
   
   As adults, we do ourselves a disservice if we think we’re supposed to have life all figured out. In many ways, we are still learning to “walk.” Are you struggling to stick to a regular exercise program? Keep trying. Have you been unable to maintain a balanced diet? Keep trying. Did you fail to follow your monthly budget? Keep trying. No matter what it is, be sure to give yourself some grace. And if you fall, who cares? Just get up and try again.

5. You’re always a role model to someone. As the younger brother, Nolan tries to say the things Kellen says, do the things Kellen does, and follow Kellen wherever he goes. Kellen is a role model…but he doesn’t even know it.
   
   Many days I go through life so caught up in my own little world that I don’t stop to think about who’s watching. That doesn’t mean I should be fake and pretend I have it all together, but it does mean that I should strive to be a good example. And this doesn’t just affect those of us with kids. Teenagers in your neighborhood, members of your church, or your co-workers may see you as a role model without you even knowing. What life lessons are they learning from you?

6. Your prayer doesn’t have to be perfect. Every night before bedtime, we pray with our kids. And every night, Nolan messes up the sign of the cross, and Kellen messes up some of the words in the “Hail Mary.” It’s imperfect, but God doesn’t love them any less.
   
   Too often as an adult, I spend so much time trying to pray perfectly, find the right words, and impress the Lord. In reality, all He wants is for me to be authentic, share what’s on my heart, and then…to listen.

There’s nothing earth-shattering here. These are simple life lessons that we sometimes forget as adults. Just remember that, no matter where you are in life,  you’re still a work in progress, you’re here for a reason, and God is not done with you yet. He loves you unconditionally. And that’s the most important life lesson of all.

Question: What are some valuable life lessons you’ve learned? (Share in the comments below.)