Published: July 12, 2008 03:06 pm            

Monica Green: From the mouth of babes

I was enjoying a nice swim in the neighborhood pool when I overheard the innocent conversation that caused me to think for weeks.

“Hi. Do you want to be friends?” asked a little girl no older than 6 to another about the same age.

“Sure,” said the second girl.

I listened as they exchanged names and greeted a third young girl who swam up to them, amazed at how easily the girls forged a friendship.

I remember when it was that easy to make friends. At a young age, I was not afraid to talk to new people and found it easy to become friends. But as I grow older I find it’s harder to talk with ease to people I don’t know and try to forge friendships.

Why are adults hesitant to approach new people and develop friendships and relationships? I consider myself a pretty outgoing person, but sometimes I find myself hesitant when approaching someone new.

One thing that prevents the ease of adult friendships is busy-ness. We work, we shop, we spend time with our families, and that’s our day. We don’t have time to stop and play with adults we meet at the grocery store or post office the way children have time to play with friends at at school or in the sand box. When I have free time I like to spend it relaxing and not having to think about making new friends.

My main circle of friends is the ones in the singles class at my church. I don’t have time or the desire to go out in the evenings and meet new friends. As adults, we grow comfortable in our surroundings and are satisfied to have things stay the same.

Children can teach us valuable life lessons if we allow them. Watch children interact when you see them in public.

zx Childen are inquisitive. They ask questions, sometimes embarrassing ones, because they want to know everything they can about someone. Adults are too wound up in their own lives to be concerned with what other people are doing. Stop and make it a point to ask co-workers how their family is doing or make small talk with the waitress serving you lunch.

zx Childen forgive and forget. Children can have a fight and the next minute be best friends. Adults find out they have religious, political or other differences with someone and decide they can’t be friends with them. Learn to put aside your differences and be friendly with those who you might otherwise shun.

zx Children are involved. When I was young I spent my time playing softball and basketball, singing in chorus and playing in the band, and being involved with church activities. Now that I’m an adult I hardly find time to do anything besides church and work. Children are always involved in activities with peers, creating friendships while they have fun.

Adults believe it’s their duty to teach children and guide them through life, but children can teach. adults lessons more valuable than any other.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.