You want to learn? Observe a child...

Children, especially young ones, teach us many things that sometimes, we adults forget about life. Did you ever observe a child play, learn, or interact with others? If not, I recommend you do so. If you did, good for you because there are many things that young children teach us.

The other day, I took my three-year-old son to our local McDonald's to have lunch and play in the indoor playground. After my son finished his lunch, he went to play at the playground. He easily played with other children. Children he never met in his life. How come it is more difficult for adults to make friends then young children? Even though I have seen this before, it just amazes me how easily young children play with each other. Yet at the same time, they can be mean towards each other. What do you think happens next? They forgive each other and are friends again.

Today, I took my son to the park. He easily played with other children as well. He even wanted to be in a photograph when their parents were taking pictures. I explained to him that he could not because it was for them. He even spoke to some of the children's parents. Yes, I was supervising him, as other parents supervised their children. I explained to another parent that my son is too friendly and will speak to anyone. She said that her daughter is the same way. It is too bad that the world isn't an ideal one. Kids trust everybody, even if those people haven't earned or deserved the trust. Too sad.

I am determined to make this world a better place, so my son and other children can live a good life.

How far should adult children help their parents?

Many people would say right away that parents are responsible for their children, and they should provide as much as their capabilities allow. However, what about children? Are they expected to return the favor? I mean chances are many parents sacrificed, worked hard, and tried not to deny their children materials, trips, and experiences.

So, if parents are in need of some financial assistance (assuming they were good and responsible people), should their adult children help them? Some would say a definite yes, and others would say no. I know in the U.S. and some other nations, the government offers a social security or related programs. So parents don't need to depend on their children for everything. This doesn't work for other nations. Many parents live with their children, and depend on them for financial assistance.

Just how much should parents depend on their children? Should adult children comply even if they are not capable (because of all the sacrifices their parents went through for them?)? These are tough questions. I think the most important is trying to find a balance. This should be discussed with your own parents, and then try to come up with a reasonable solution.

5K Walk/Run Hospital Event

I just wanted to post that several colleagues and myself completed the 5K event. It was an awesome experience. I love trying something new because it can be a new activity that I may like and continue to do.

For those of you don't know, 5K comes out to about 3.1 miles.

The event took place last Sunday at 8 a.m. It was a nice, breezy and sunny morning. Over 100 people should up for the first annual 5K Walk/Run Hospital event.

I learned several things in doing this:

• Since I like to write, doing this event reminded me of writing. You need to stay focus and concentrate on what you are doing now.
• It helps to walk or run with a buddy to help get over the miles or kilometers. You can talk about stuff. Next thing you know, the walk/run is over.
• You also need discipline. It is easy to quit in the middle of the even, if you are not used to exercising.

After I finished (by the way I placed third in my age category), I felt really energized--I wanted to do it again! I mentioned this to my colleagues. They said it was what runners had a "high", an addiction. That is one of the reasons why some keep doing these types of events and marathons.

This was my first time doing something like this, and it will not be my last time. Not only did I do this for a good cause, I also did it for myself. I gave myself a challenge, and I was able to do it. This will motivate me to stay in better shape (which is necessary for a long and healthy life).

I am truly addicted with the walk/run events. The cool thing about this was medals were given to different age groups. I saw kids as young as 10 and adults as "young" in their 70s. How awesome is that?

Finished Spring Semester

It is official. I am done teaching for the Spring semester. Well sort of. I have to hand in grades May 14, 2007. Then I am officially done for the semester. Wow, this has been an interesting semester.

I am constantly looking for ways to improve my education course. I love teaching. I also learn that all students are totally unique, literally. I have not met anyone who is the same from the time I began teaching. It is really interesting. I can honestly say since I have been teaching, that each class is different. You never end up with the same type of students, which is cool. That is what makes the world a cool place, full of diverse ideas.

I am honored to be teaching a course this summer, twice a week. After taking a course in social justice in education, I have decided to change the course somewhat. I want to socialize the issues, meaning make them more personal, and less statistical or numerical. We need that human touch, that human feeling.

Maybe, just maybe, we will then be inspired to do something.

There is hope for humanity, after all...

About one week ago, my son and I left the supermarket with our cart full of groceries and put them in our car. My son and I walked to return our cart to the cart area, when we observed an older gentleman was reorganizing the carts into neater rows. I stood there, unsure if he was a supermarket employee, such as a manager because he was professionally dressed. He turned around and looked at me, and saying "It's alright. You may leave your cart here. I will get it."

I told him that is OK. Then, I asked him, "Do you work here?" He replied no. I then looked at him still confused. He told me that he wants to do something nice for people. "These messy carts may hurt people or damage cars," he told me. "Why do we always have to be careless or in a hurry? We should take the time and think of others." I looked at him, and I said, "True, imagine if we all did one thing from the goodness of our hearts? This would be a perfect world, wouldn't it?" He nodded and replied, "Yes, a perfect world."

The gentleman was finishing stacking the carts. He then looked at my son, and told him "Listen to your parents, young man." He then told us, "Have a good day." I replied, "You, too."

I was touched by this man's intentions and actions. I even got goose bumps! Not many people would take the time to do something for strangers and not get major publicity for doing it. I truly felt the world a place of goodness. I honestly felt good. I thought to myself, "There is hope for humanity, after all..."

There is Always a Brighter Side

You may be thinking why I am telling you this? However, I believe because we tend to forget that there is always a brighter side to every situation. We tend to forget because we are busy, tired, or have too many things going on in our lives that is out of our hands.

Besides tackling or living through these activities, you need to tell yourself there is a brighter side to what I am doing. Something or someone could have it worse than you do. As humans, we tend to forget that we are not in the worst situation on earth.

So, we need to think positive, and remind ourselves that there is always a brighter side to every situation. This takes discipline. It is not easy, but it is possible for this to become a lifestyle choice.

You will be amazed by the vibes you will get from other people around you for your positive thinking.

Not to push religion or spirituality, it is healthy for the mind if you do practice one of those options. By fulfilling your mentality needs through religion or spiritual needs, you tend to feel a sense of positive thinking.

Just try it!