(Photograph by Edwin Redrino)
While sitting on the pew behind them, I watched how a loving, young mother tried to gently keep her toddler from fussing during one reverent sacrament meeting. After attempting several different techniques that worked only a few minutes, she reached into her bag to offer her daughter a lollipop. It seemed to work instantly as the charming little girl climbed up to her and placed her head on her mother’s shoulder while enjoying her candy.
A little boy sitting right next to them watched intently as the girl relished her sweet treat. He gazed at her without flinching for about five minutes. When the little girl noticed his stare, she took the lollipop from her mouth and without any hesitation offered it to him. The little boy paused, looked at the lollipop, and then gladly took it. They both smiled and kept silent for the rest of the meeting.
I sat there in awe after what I witnessed. Adults surely will think it’s an unhygienic practice but it was the principle behind that blew my mind away. What a pure example of selflessness!!! I didn’t sense any regret from the little girl when she offered the one thing that she enjoyed most to someone that she thought would enjoy it more.
How light and wonderful life would be if adults could practice that principle as well—unselfishness. Let us keep in mind that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Life is too short to keep it all to ourselves. We have not enough time to hoard it all. Be it our time, our talents, our affection, our resources, let us choose a better way.
what a wonderful observation! u see beyond the gestures of the two kids…
Thanks, Sai! Well, as they say, things are not always what they seem so it’s sometimes good to look beyond what we perceive and learn life’s lessons that way. 🙂
Awwwwww,,ate che this is very touching,,naiiyak ako,,thanks ah
ei Tere, thanks for dropping by. 🙂
Sometimes adults learn from kids , if they are mindful of their surroundings , thatwas agreat example .
I totally agree, mommy marci! 🙂 thanks for your comment…
selflessness is a trait that we have definite scarcity of these days. if it were all too common, wars would never happen.. beautiful entry, cherry.. 🙂
RJ, thank you for dropping by and for leaving your comment. Much appreciated. 🙂
Very good observation and it takes a good heart to perceive those golden moments of behavioral examples around us.
I could say that if we adults want to learn and develop celestial attitudes; such as pure love, sharing, humility, honesty, meekness, faith , hope etc., just observe and listen to the children.
Thanks for the comment and the kind words, Irene.
WOW A WONDERFUL EXAMPLES OF UNSELLFISHNESS…HOPE WE ALL LEARNED FROM THIS MESSAGE OF SHARING BECAUSE SHARING IS CARING….
I agree, Fely. Thanks for your comment.
Ganda ganda naman ng message na yan, anak. It touches my heart so much because the example is from an innocent child. That s why pala our Lord Jesus Christ in His Gospel said that one cannot enter the Kingdom of God unless you be like a child….. no wonder… yes, when one observed children who quarrel or fight each other and thereafter, right after their quarelling and fighting they would again play with each other and laugh and make fun again, without any shadow of anger and hatred and vengeance… yes, children s character are very good example for us adults to adapt, though it would be sometimes painful and challenging, for yes indeed, one has to be selfless, forgiving and pure in heart ..like children.
Mutti!!! I agree with you… sometimes it’s hard to be childlike but it’s the way to go.. thanks for dropping by and leaving your comment..love ya and miss ya!!!
The innocence displayed by the two children was in all of us but this fine quality seems to decrease as we advance in age. Wish I know how to restore it in myself.
It’s sad, but true, Novice101. As adults, we get caught up with so many things that distract us from being who we really are. It’s good to be reminded of these pure qualities we have deep within us through the examples of little children around us. Thanks for your comment.