On this First Day of School, Fulghum's Reminders

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Posted on August 19, 2013 by Blake Leath

2013 marks the 25th anniversary of Baylor grad Robert Fulghum’s beloved “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”  If you don’t already own this, you really, really should.  The poem for which he is so well known is but one of many in this beautiful little book

 

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life—
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

 

 

 

Being my remedial self, it took me 54 lines to approximate as much nearly four years ago.  (Additionally, I'll throw in the oft-attributed, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.”) 

 

Long after my music has died, accompanying flowers have dried, the food in the fridge has gone bad and bi-fold poetic programs have been tossed in the can, may these remain.  I love you, Lauren.

Some Assembly Required: 54 Lessons for a Life Worth Living

 

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