Honesty in Relationships
A lesson from a 5 year old on the importance of honesty in relationships
Recently, I substituted in a classroom as an assistant teacher. Generally speaking, assistants help the day go smoothly by preparing materials and redirecting the students who drift off-task or distract the group. I had been doing just this, and on day three, as I arrived on the playground, a young energetic boy surprised me. Upon seeing me, he stopped midway down the slide, looked me in the eye, and said “I hate you.”
Then he paused, wondering if he should have said it out-loud.
Appreciating his honesty, I gave him a genuine smile and respectfully replied, “That’s okay, you don’t have to like me.” I moved past him, greeting other children and gave him plenty of space that day. By the afternoon, he was coming over to share his projects and invited me to play. We enjoyed each other with ease. We had a new relationship.
Honesty is essential, and our book, RELATE, delivers childlike honesty as a springboard for authentic reflection. The subject? How we choose to relate with each other.
“In our own lives, we experience oceans of invitations to interact with the world. Will we avoid a stranger or smile at them, laugh with the children or lecture them? What do we choose? Every moment, a relationship.”
~Introduction to RELATE/RELACIONAR
Come experience our bilingual interactive book event this Sunday, November 2nd!
