LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is LIFE

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual

After a four-month hiatus, spent reflecting on the challenges of the world, I am happy to return with this new LIFE IN A WORD entry. As with all my writings, my goal is to inspire and motivate you to open your mind up to the good in life, the potential for personal growth and to deliver to you the tools needed to move forward with confidence, wisdom and joy.

Posted March 26, 2025

My Story on Life

Like many, I am guilty of procrastinating purging and decluttering my basement. But this past weekend, I challenged myself to delay no further. And so I began tackling the largest closet in my basement and building up the donation pile.  

Memories, from items pulled, filled my head. My daughter’s pink, yellow and green comforter with matching pillows and sheets brought to mind the cheeriness of her bedroom. My son’s red and white striped comforter brought back memories of my carefully adhering a border that framed his bedroom walls with his name artfully displayed.

And then there was the actual artwork recovered from the back of that basement closet. For my daughter it was an oblong oversized framed picture of The Little Mermaid. Thoughts of Disney swirled around as did her Little Mermaid pajamas and the video of the movie we played endless times.

For my son, the artwork I had on his wall, gave me pause. I went so far as to carry it into the garage as I readied my trunk for the content it was about to receive. And then it happened. The moment of hesitation when you know you’re not quite ready to part with one very special item. 

This particular item was a poster with the inspiring words of author Robert Fulgham from his acclaimed book All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten. I knew this one had to have one last hurrah before it departed the physical space of my home.

So I am taking this opportunity to share Robert Fulgham's message with you, because I believe it is timeless and timely.

His words are simple, relevant and oh so wise. I encourage you to read them out loud for the full impact and be forewarned you might want to have a tissue handy.

“All 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 sandpile 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 milk are good for you.

• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw some 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.

• Remember the little seeds in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even little seeds in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.

• And then remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

• Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.

• The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation.

• Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

• Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life, or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm.

• Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o’ clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap.

• Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

• And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”

As I prepared to part with the beloved piece of art that hung in my son’s childhood bedroom, I realized it still held a message I needed to hear - and perhaps, you do too. 

Much like Fulgham’s words remind us to go back to basics, we sometimes need guidance to rediscover those simple truths in our adult lives. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by life’s complexities, I’m here to help. Remember, we’re not meant to navigate life’s changes alone.

Whether you’re stepping out of your comfort zone or overcoming past fears, I’m here to help you take that first scary step toward a more fulfilling future. Because truly, All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten!

For a free consultation, please email me at innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com

Thank you.