Everyone has something to teach you

I hope my kids realize as they grow up, that every person they meet has something they can learn from.

Not every person will become a close friend. Not every person will share their interests, values, or perspective. But every person has a story. and every person has experienced life in a way they haven’t.

And if they’re willing to listen, they’ll be amazed by what they discover.

When my kids are younger, this often shows up in simple ways. They meet someone who likes different music, dresses differently, plays different sports, or has different hobbies. And like all of us, their first instinct is sometimes to think, “That’s weird.”

But I try to remind them that “different” and “weird” aren’t the same thing.

The things that seem strange to us are often just things we don’t understand yet.

Some of the most interesting conversations in my life have happened with people who are nothing like me. People with different careers. Different backgrounds. Different opinions. Different interests.

Sometimes I’ll find myself talking to someone about something I never thought I cared about, bird watching, woodworking, vintage watches, ants, fishing, history, whatever it happens to be.

And you know what? The more excited they are about it, the more interesting it becomes.

Not because I suddenly want to become a bird watcher.

But because I get a glimpse into how someone else sees the world.

I want my kids to understand that curiosity is a superpower.

When you approach people with curiosity instead of judgment, two things happen.

First, you learn a lot.
Second, people feel valued.

Everyone likes talking to someone who is genuinely interested in them. Not someone waiting for their turn to talk or looking for reasons to disagree. Someone who is actually listening.

And listening is becoming a rare skill.

It feels like everyone today is in a hurry to have an opinion. To pick a side. To decide whether they agree or disagree before the other person has even finished speaking.

But I’ve found that life gets a lot more fun when you spend less time judging and more time understanding.

That doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone. Some of the people I learn the most from are people I ultimately disagree with.

But listening gives you perspective. It helps you understand why people think the way they do. It teaches empathy. It reminds you that most people are doing their best with the experiences they’ve had.

And honestly, this lesson might be even more important for adults than it is for kids.

As adults, we can get stuck in our bubbles. We surround ourselves with people who think like us, work like us, and live like us. We become less curious and more certain.

But certainty can be limiting. Curiosity keeps you growing.

One of my favorite sayings is that if you want to be interesting, you should first become interested.

The people who are the most fun to talk to aren’t usually the ones who know everything. They’re the ones who are fascinated by everything. They ask questions. They listen. They learn.

That’s the kind of person I hope my kids become.

Someone who walks into a room and thinks, “I wonder what I can learn here?”

Someone who is secure enough in who they are that they don’t need to judge everyone who is different.

Someone who understands that listening isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.

So that’s the lesson:

Listen before you judge.

Ask questions before you make assumptions.

Stay curious about people.

Because every person you meet knows something you don’t.

And if you’re willing to listen, the world gets a whole lot bigger.