The other day, I was playing with my 3 year old niece in the park. She was running around, laughing and having fun. She spotted a swing and ran towards it, but another kid got there first. She stopped and looked at me with a disappointed face.
I expected her to cry or throw a tantrum, but she surprised me. She smiled and said, “It’s okay, I can wait.” Then she went to play with something else.
I was amazed by her attitude. She didn’t let a minor setback ruin her mood. She didn’t get angry or jealous of the other kid. She didn’t give up on her desire to swing. She simply accepted the situation and moved on.
I realized that I could learn a lot from her. How often do I let small things bother me? How often do I react negatively to things that are out of my control? How often do I lose sight of the bigger picture and miss out on other opportunities?
I decided to follow her example and adopt a more positive outlook on life. I decided to be more patient, more flexible, and more grateful. I decided to enjoy the moment and not worry about the future.
I thanked my niece for teaching me this valuable lesson. She looked at me with a puzzled expression and said, “You’re welcome, but what did I teach you?”
I smiled and hugged her. She taught me how to be happy. ☮️ 🤟️️️!
