Per-nal

Zerayn D.

I wish to give up the word “I”,  as I feel like it is exploiting the innocence of others, even when using it is justified by convenience. The frequent use of “I” may be unfair to people around us, and can result to failure of making a difference from those who look up to us.

As an educator, I am in a world where children watch adults; so that,  adults insisting “I” are too often dismissive and can imply walls. Children  have complex emotions and yet to understand what they feel. So seeing an adult magnifying “I” can shape characters of selfishness and self-centeredness. Let’s aspire to create a safe space for these young minds to express themselves freely. So instead of an adult, prioritizing “I”, I prefer “we”- togetherness.  By doing so, no longer should children’s emotions be stifled, but instead, be listened to and understood by adults. Working on things together (“we”), would demonstrate building compassion and empathy with the little ones.

With “we”,  we can stand by our voices, our work, our feelings, simply “us”; we are together. No longer shall we focus on ourselves. The time has come to break free from the shackles of arrogance and indifference, and to usher in an era of love and respect specially for our children/the younger generation watching us.

We must break the cycle of only “I” that neglects the existence of “we” and “us”.  Let us usher in an era of respect and care for our children, by seeing others as significant as they are. Let us shed the trappings of ego and embrace the beautiful idea of “togetherness”. We are all in this, together!

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16