“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived- that is to have succeeded.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our ancestors took care of our world- our land, our culture, our economy, and our nation. However, their biggest achievement was leaving a better generation for a better world. They educated us, provided us with virtues, and made us self- sufficient. They made sure that we as a generation are born into a world that is better and brighter than the one that they inhabited. The legacy has been passed onto us. It is now in our hands, to leave a better generation for the future.
Most often, it is stressed upon how we should leave a better planet for our children; but what about leaving better children for the planet? Are we not equally responsible in shaping up the children and youth of this generation in a manner that makes them wise enough to take care of our world in the future? Do we not need to imbibe the right values in them? Do we not need to make them understand how important it is, to care for the environment and the people around them? After all, our world is made of living beings and if our children do not act with prudence and foresight, we are carving out their doom with our very own hands.
Here are some insights on what we need to teach the present generation:
Do No Harm
It is simple. If you can’t go out of the way in doing something good for the world, the least you can do is not inflict harm on the world around you. You can’t plant trees? Save paper. You can’t harvest rainwater? Cut your shower short by five minutes. You can’t donate to the orphanages? Don’t hire child labour. Set good examples for the children as well as adults around you. Forbearance, kindness, and manners are best taught by action, not words.
Spread Awareness
As an inhabitant of this beautiful world, it is your moral duty to spread good thoughts and make people aware of the world around them. Your words could be wake- up calls to wasteful individuals; they could even push a prudent individual into acting upon social issues. This does not mean that you go around preaching. It simply implies that you can write about issues on various forums and on social media, you can create poster/pamphlets/newsletters to promote a greener tomorrow; you may stay abreast of latest news and research and make sure to have healthy discussions about the same with your near and dear ones. Teach your children about the evils of the world, about environmental hazards, and how to fight against them. At the same time, let your child know that the good outweighs the bad in this world and they need to add to the Good. As you sow, so shall you reap.
Raise A Discerning Individual
While it is correct that you will guide your children at every step, it is also true that you will not be able to hold their hands throughout their lives. You need to inculcate good values in them, but also make them aware and discerning individuals, who can choose between right and wrong. They should know the importance of a healthy lifestyle, the advantages of recycling and reusing, secrets to finding happiness in small things, and thinking beyond themselves. You should encourage creativity, conventionality and unconventionality. Raise kids who are compassionate and enlightened. Raise kids who are strong of character and will speak out against wrongdoings. Raise kids who are full of joy and hope in an otherwise cynical and discouraging world. Make sure they follow their dreams with gratitude in their hearts and peace in their mind. These individuals will heal the world- ours, theirs, and the next generation’s.
