One of my favourite songs from the eighties is “The Greatest Love of All,” the mega hit by Whitney Houston. When I consider why I like this song so much, it’s the first line of the lyrics that just grabs me right away, “I believe the children are our future.”
At about 35, most adults are set in their ways. You heard the saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I recently learned some new tricks, but it took some openness and serious self-discipline.
Not everybody is willing to put in the work to change.
So, is it worth the energy trying to change the mind of someone that has been programmed for over 35 years?
Children are the future, and they are still learning their way. Teaching them love and respect while they are young, can mould them into becoming better adults.
Kids’ views of the world are shaped by what we they see. So adults, give your kids the correct building blocks to take them on life’s journey.
I came across this very touching video on YouTube “Dear Parent”
Children start off with a light and innocence that comes natural to them. Over time we see life experiences can dim that light and taint their innocence.
As parents and being part of the community, it is our job to protect our children but sometimes due to our trauma and or life experiences we can cause unintended brokenness in our children we are trying to protect them from.
The beautiful thing is we can always make adjustments and improve as parents and community leaders.
The goal is to equip and empower our young people while they’re young so when they become adults they’re in better emotional, mental, spiritual, financial, and or physical positions than we are in.
Here is the song “The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston (lyrics below)
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody’s searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me
I decided long ago
Never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I’ll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
I decided long ago
Never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I’ll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
Is the greatest love of all
And if, by chance, that special place
That you’ve been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love
Kenrick Vaz 