Character Education: 3 Easy Ways to Peace in Your Life

Rules, Rules, Rules! Everywhere you go there are rules. Rules for driving a vehicle, rules for students, family rules, and rules for sports, just to name a few. The most important rules are the Rules for Life. Rules for Life are rules that allow a family or a group of people to live together in peace. When the Rules for Life are followed everyone involved achieves their highest potential.

The first Rule for Life is to Speak Kindly. When you speak kindly to those around you they are more likely to be kind in return. Others will want to please you and help you. In order to speak kindly you must use a pleasant tone of voice. If you smile when you speak your words will sound much nicer. Use kind words like, "would you please" and "thank you for your help". Speaking kindly creates a positive atmosphere for all. When a parent speaks kindly and pleasantly to a child, the child can be easily calmed down. For example if your child is in the middle of crying or trying to get their way, instead of raising your voice to correct them, whisper. Say calming things and reassure your child that everything will be okay. Their needs will be met, but maybe not right now.

Respect Others and Their Things is rule number two. When you respect yourself you are able to respect those around you. Most people give respect when they feel respected themselves. Simple things like asking before touching someone else's belongings show a great deal of respect. Children can be taught to ask, "May I read your book?". Children can also be taught to ask permission before doing things around the house. "May I have a snack?" "May I make a phone call please?" Respect other people's time. Ask if they have time for your phone call. Ask when would be an okay time to call back. If we learn to ask first in all things a large percentage of conflicts would never occur. Stealing would be eliminated. Can you imagine someone saying, "May I steal this television from you?". Conflicts between husbands and wives could be minimized if we learned to ask before spending money. When you ask first you can't go wrong.

The last rule is Admit When You Have Made A Mistake. Often times we tend to shy away from owning up to our shortcomings. It takes courage to say, "I was wrong. I'm sorry." When these words are spoken progress can be made toward a peaceful solution. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone apologizes. When we take the initiative to apologize we are able to salvage friendships that might otherwise be lost. When we say we're sorry we release those feelings of guilt that may have built up inside. Those who apologize are the ones who go on to greatness.

These three simple things we all know how to do.

1. Speak Kindly
2. Respect Others and Their Things
3. Admit When You Are Wrong

How often do we do these things? Rules for Life are simple and easy. These rules if implemented in each person, in each family, in each nation would change the future of the world.