Changing Lives from the Other Side

Changing Lives from the Other Side

"To teach is to touch lives forever" is a popular phrase that teachers like to be reminded of. I know this because they almost all have it framed on their desk, up on their walls on posters, or have a t-shirt with the theme on it. Another is "To teach a child is to change the world." I haven't been a teacher, but I work with children and with children's health at The Little Gym, and I volunteer at the homeless center's children's activity room. I can't say that I've touched or changed their lives, but I know that they've changed my view on love more than anything else has.

All other humans, and I first learned about love from our parents. From birth, we are nurtured and given everything needed for survival. Through this dependence, we develop love for our parents. When we start to learn more about the world, we come in contact with others. I am one of the many people that try to develop or adjust a child's life for the best. I am probably one of the least important people in the process of the child's mental and physical growth. But, some children make me feel like the most important person in the world, that only a few worthy people are lucky enough to see a child's special light and smile.

A child's smile is transparent. Their love can be seen through their smile. Their happiness is so innocent and unselfish, that sometimes, we have to feel like a child to feel that kind of love. Working with kids reminds me to bring myself back to childhood. I have to think, what made me happy when I was a child, what frustrated me, and how can I make that situation better for the child.

The groups of children that I work with may compare and contrast to each other in different ways. The Gym's kids are generally well behaved and easy to please. The homeless center's kids are disrespectful, but still easy to please. A favorite activity at the homeless center is for the children to throw toys around the room when they can't get their way. These kids need extra attention to calm down and to explain sharing to. But if I was a raging kid, I wouldn't want to be talked to. I would need other entertainment to keep my mind on, and fast. So I usually sing a song or pick them up and then talk to them. Then I see a smile.

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