11 Things We Need to Re-Learn from Kindergarten

This country, in my opinion, is falling apart and separating from each other because of our political opinions. It's sad really. It makes me miss kindergarten when everyone was friends. Everyone was learning to be polite. Everyone was friends with each other, even if you had different thoughts on the best cartoon. Maybe we should be sent back there to re-learn a few basic things:

1. Working Well with Others

Kindergarten is where you really learn to work with others. Teachers force you to work in groups and everyone in that group has a job. Oddly, the work goes a lot quicker with everyone working together instead of trying to compete with one another. When you ask to go to the bathroom or have to take something somewhere else in the building, they don't let you go alone. They ask you to take a buddy. On field trips? Again, the buddy system works best. It's the basis of people needing people. The buddy system isn't just for trips to the zoo. You can't do everything by yourself. Lately, this country seems to think it can. No one even strikes up conversations anymore. We all just stare blankly at our phones. And if someone is standing on a corner holding a sign or trying to actually talk to you, most people just keep on walking. People need people. Even if it's just to stop and listen for a minute.

2. Good hygiene goes a long way.

This is just a basic rule for life and when it's getting hot out, people. Use deodorant. Brush your teeth. Wash your hands after you use the bathroom. Wear a condom (that's not taught in kindergarten, just thought I should include it).

3. Fashion rules are meant to be broken.

Back in kindergarten if you wore mismatching socks and a hat with a million flowers on it, everyone ooo-ed and ahhh-ed. You were the star of the classroom. Now, anyone who dresses a little differently is made fun of. What's the fun in us all having the exact same clothes and same brand stuff. You are not more or less than anyone else because of what you wear. Pay attention people. Even if you still wear light-up Power Ranger shoes (which you should, they're awesome) no one has any right to treat you differently because of it. Which brings us to our next point...

4. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

This speaks for itself. Stop insulting people. Stop ridiculing people. Stop mocking those that are different than you. Stop separating yourself from other people because they are different from you. Learn from them and keep your shitty opinion to yourself. Not everything has to be said out loud. Yes, you have freedom of speech. You also have common decency, right? Just because you can say it, doesn't mean you should say it. Think before you speak.

5. Naps are the best.

The end. Naps are the greatest. Cranky? Go take a nap. Had a rough day? Go take a nap. Played too hard at recess? Go take a nap.

6. Sharing is caring.

Remember when you would swap snacks with the girl behind you because she liked fruit by the foot and you liked Gushers? Or when your mom packed you extra Gold Fish and the little boy next to you didn't have a snack so you would open your bag and share with him? Try that again. That guy on the corner that you ignore every day on your way to work, share your sandwich with him.

7. Never leave anyone behind.

Hold hands, the buddy system, line up and make sure the same people that were in front of you and behind you are still in front of you and behind you. Same thing. That girl at the party who looks scared and her friends clearly left her alone, go sit and talk to her. Let her know you're looking out. The kid on the bus, riding home late at night, smile, strike up a conversation, make sure he gets off at the right stop. See something bad about to happen? Don't be a bystander. Help out. In any way you can. Just help out. It doesn't have to be some huge heroic way, if you see something wrong, call the cops. Everyone deserves to know that they are not alone. It doesn't matter who they are, don't leave them behind.

8. Color inside the lines.

OK some of you need to re-learn this because by the way you park, you clearly never learned it the first time.

9. Don't hit.

I don't care if he took your crayons (or your weed, whatever), don't hit. Don't start fights. Don't stab people. Don't shoot people. You will go to time-out (jail).

10. Drugs are bad.

D—I won't do drugs, A—won't have an attitude, R—I will respect myself, E— I will educate me nowwwww... okay, okay... so D.A.R.E was in fifth grade, not kindergarten, but come on. When we were that little, drugs were bad. Guess what? They're still bad! Stop shooting up! Stop dealing heroin and coke; get a real job. Stop asking your friends if they want some Yay at a party. Smoke a joint and chill the hell out, man. I mean... is weed really that bad of a drug? Some kindergarten rules are a little fuzzy.

11. Never stop learning.

When you graduate kindergarten, you get a summer reading list. They get you so pumped for the next twelve years. You get excited to learn new things. Somewhere along the way, that dwindled. Some of us, had it ruined by a mean teacher. Some were bullied so much and stopped trying. Some dropped out to work so they could take care of their families. But somewhere along the line, learning became less important. In school or not, learning is important. There is so much to learn in this world. There is so much to learn from just the people and things around you. And if you ask me, there is no greater gift than learning something new.