• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » BRAVE LIVING » 5 Life Lessons in Living from a 1-Year-Old

in BRAVE LIVING

5 Life Lessons in Living from a 1-Year-Old

Last updated on November 28th, 2012 at 07:17 pm

Dreams learns Life lessons from a 1 year old, Sue Levy, 8 Women dream

My daughter, Aliya is so interested in the book - even if it's upside-down. She is just so amazed at the colors!

There is a saying that goes: you are never too old to learn.

True.

But have you ever learned life-lessons from a 1-year-old?

I have.

I am a mom to 14-month-old girl, Aliya. My baby girl is always running around. She doesn’t walk — that would slow down her life too much. It’s funny to call her and see a happy little girl running to me.

Motherhood in the first year is a BIG challenge and I confess that ever since my daughter turned one, she’s become a diva in the making. Lots of people believe that adults are there to teach kids about life, but have we ever considered what our kids are really teaching us about living life and pursuing our dreams?

For the past few weeks, I have been very closely watching my little “Miss Levy,” and she has surprised me with life- lessons that I have forgotten. They are examples I can use when I am public speaking and they’re also examples for living a more blissful life.

5 Life Lessons in Living From a 1-year-old

1. Smile often
This is something Aliya does without even thinking. She smiles because she wants to and is loving life.  Her smile is a gift to the person in the room.  She shares it freely and expects you to enjoy it.  I realized as adults we don’t smile enough. We tend to not show our feelings — as if we are afraid that someone might be watching us.

Dreams learns Life lessons from a 1 year old, Sue Levy, 8 Women dream

Aliya loves to laugh!

Light up your world by smiling.

2. Be enthusiastic
Enthusiasm comes naturally to kids because when they see something they like, they reveal it in their expression. Everything to her is a pleasant surprise or something that needs further exploration.  She is curious and open to try most anything.  She’s excited about what the world offers and is not afraid to show it.

Be excited about the little things and be enthusiastic about your dream life.

3. Show no Fear
There is a phase a toddler goes through that I call the “No Fear” phase. I have never seen a little girl be so courageous! Even though she makes my heart race at times, I secretly wish I had her courage. It’s refreshing to witness how children don’t care about a challenge — they just go for it.  Nothing seems impossible to them and they will try, and try, and try something until get get it,or are a master of it.

Dreams learns Life lessons from a 1 year old, Sue Levy, 8 Women dream

"Mommy can I get my Drivers License?""

Be fearless in your dream life. Go for your dream the same way a toddler goes after something they want.

4. Cry it out
I hate seeing Aliya cry. I think she knows that I am a sucker for her tears — in public. It’s not pleasant for me when she cries, but she is just being real. As soon as she’s unhappy she lets me know! As much as I despise it, I have to give my 1-year-old a high five for being completely real with me.

As adults we think being strong is the way to go and it’s smart to keep our intense feelings to ourselves. Sometimes a good cry fixes things and the tension moves into solutions.

Cry when you feel that you can’t be strong. You are entitled to feel your emotions. It doesn’t make you weak — it makes you human. Cry when your dream is getting your down — just don’t stay sad for very long.  Allow the tears to clear your mind and come up with new ways to make your dream come true.

5. Dance More
My little one just loves to dance. If she hears music, she shakes her little body all over. Its so funny to me and I find myself doing a move or two.  She loves it when I dance with her. I melt when she starts to giggle because of the fun she is having. Makes me realize I don’t enjoy little moments in life enough.

Dance more often for no reason.  Dance around your kitchen.  Dance in the shower. Even if you can’t dance, at least move to a beat once in a while. Chair dance. Car dance. Move your body in a way that makes you smile and others want to join you in your fun.

Remember to have fun while you are going for your dream life.  Dance before you have to make that scary phone call — dance before you walk into the building for that job interview.

This week, my dream advice to you is to have the courage of a toddler and not be so concerned about what the rest of the world thinks. Enjoy your life by smiling more.  Don’t be afraid to show strong emotions when you are feeling them and dance every chance you can.

Life is meant to be lived — not wasted in sad boredom waiting for someone else to make your dreams come true.

Get up off the couch and pretend that your dream is a favorite toy that your mother just put on top of a desk and you are a toddler.  Go after it with everything you’ve got — get mad at the people who try and do it for you — and struggle and push until you’ve got that prized toy in your hand.

Because that’s what my little girl would do.

She knows how to just pursue it.

~Sue

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Related Stories:

  • What September 11 Taught Me About Living From The Heart
    Lessons from September 11 and Living From The Heart
  • Everything is recycled in India, even dreams – Shashi Tharoor
    4 Life Lessons from an Indian Wedding
  • 8WD-post
    Life Lessons From Lauren Bacall
  • Never tell someone their dreams are impossible. You'll feel like a fool when they prove you wrong. Quote.
    114 Life Lessons to Live By
Sue Levy

Sue Levy is the founder of the South African Just Pursue It Blog and Inspirational Women Initiative. She’s a motivational writer and media designer, who is obsessed with everything inspirational with a hint of geek. She thrives on teaching women how to be brave and take big chances on themselves. You can find Sue on her Twitter page @Sue_Levy.

Note: Articles by Sue may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: BRAVE LIVING

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« Photographer of Women Shares Thoughts on Body Image and Big Dreams
8 Reasons to be Thankful for the Dream of Becoming a Triathlete »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT