Last week’s blog, “Life’s Little Messes” was a look at a Dad and peas.  I heard this story years ago as an illustration of accepting personal responsibility. 

Why is accepting responsibility so difficult for adults.  I often hear, “It’s not my fault”;  “Carolyn, you just don’t understand how difficult that person is to get along with” And my all-time favorite “But …”

There’s a famous poem by Robert Fulghum, 

Life then was so easy:

“Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sand pile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.”

I’d say let’s practice this week, what we learned in kindergarten.  Remember what Mom would say “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.  It’s not, Do to others before they do to you.”

Our world will be a much better for it!