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Remember the Lessons You Learned Early in Life

3 Sep 2015 | Lt. Cmdr. Garry R. Thornton, Jr., CHC, USN; Chaplain – Wounded Warrior Regiment Marine Corps Base Quantico

It is amazing to me how much we can learn from little children. In fact, I am reminded of the words of Jesus who said “You will never get into God's kingdom unless you enter it like a child!" (Luke 18:15-17, Contemporary English Version)

Three attributes of children that we would all do well to revisit and learn from stand out in my mind. First, I am always amazed at how content children can be even with very little. Give a two-year-old a pan and a wooden spoon and they will make do for several hours. Of course, you will need aspirin for your throbbing noise-induced headache. Second, I am in awe at the ability of young children to believe — to exercise simple faith –in things they do not understand. Sadly, I am all too often skeptical about the things I do understand. And third, I really envy the unbridled joy that most children seem to possess. This kind of free-spirited happiness seems to allude me too much of the time.

We all were young once, but somehow many, if not most of us, have lost these and many other wonderful qualities that we love about children. Somewhere along the way many if not most of us have also forgotten some of the wonderful lessons that we learned early on in life.

In his incredibly insightful book, "All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten," Robert Fulghum suggests that wisdom is not necessarily to be found at the top of the graduate school mountain, but rather at the bottom of the elementary school sand pile. I would agree. He goes on to note, that some of the important things we learned when we were still young children were: the value of sharing; that it is good to play fair; that we should not physically or verbally abuse other people; that we should take care of our own belongings; that we should be careful not to touch or take something that belongs to another; and that if we do wrong to somebody else or cause them harm we should say we are sorry.

Imagine what a better place this world would be if we all were more childlike.

I want to encourage you to get in touch with your inner-child, so to speak. Try to remember and put into practice some of those lessons you learned in yesteryear when you were very young and impressionable in a positive and constructive way. Specifically, I would challenge you to be content with what you have and where God has you for now. Be a spiritually-minded person living by faith in God and continue to grow in your understanding of Him. Finally, know joy in your life. One way to do that is to practice random acts of kindness, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Remember the lessons you learned early in life, and put them into practice. Ah, yes, I remember them well!

And, also remember that your chaplain is a great resource if you have need of confidential counseling, or if you have questions about morals, ethics, religion/religious practices and spirituality. We are here to serve you. Semper Fidelis, and may God bless you.
Marine Corps Base Quantico