The best teachers learn from their students. The wisest parents teach and learn from their kids. Today let's talk about what we can learn from our children.

There is a great deal we can learn from our children, if we will only approach them with open hearts and a receptive spirit. In some ways, kids are the greatest teachers, because they teach by simply being who they are. And who are they?

Well, when children are young, they are completely trusting. It is only when they have had their trust betrayed many times that they learn to doubt and fear. Young children love justice and scrupulously respect the rules. They are also fearless. As far as anyone can tell, we come into the world with a startle reflex when we hear a loud noise. All the other fears are learned.

Young children are also naturally joyful and full of life. They seem to have a natural inclination toward love, but need to be taught to hate or feel contempt. They are color-blind, and play happily together regardless of race, religion, sex, or ethnic background. They are honest and confident, secure, and venturesome.

When we realize that all of us started out that way, we also realize that if we will only let our children teach us to remember our essential nature, there is great reason to hope for a peaceful world.