my child

if i had my child to raise over again:

i'd build self esteem first and the house later,

i'd finger paint more, and point finger less,

i would do less correcting and more connecting,

i'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes,

i would care to know less and know to care more,

i'd take more hikes and play more kites,

i'd stop playing serious and seriously play,

i would run through more fields and gaze at more stars

(adapted from Chicken soup for the soul, by Diane Lemons)