One thing I wish they thought in school is how humans' brains work. Especially where emotions are concerned.
In particular, I wish kids learned what self-awareness is and how to develop it.
Instead, years later, we wonder how the hot-headed co-worker no one can talk to without offending ended up that way.
If you're new to the term, it's being aware of your emotions and behaviors before letting them control you. That's one definition, anyway. And it's my favorite.
For example, when you get angry, your go-to reaction might be to scream at the person who made you angry.
But, when you've exercised your self-awareness muscle, you can see your anger rising from an outsider perspective.
You can catch it ahead of time and think to yourself, I'm feeling angry. This is an interesting sensation. What is a healthy way I can process this that will resolve the issue and keep casualties to a minimum?
But when we don't have self-awareness, we jump straight to a reaction that's more like, adsjfla;sfkjgar;elktjw;lfkjs;fkldja;sflkjasl;fkj.
There are many ways to develop self-awareness. Meditation is one. Reflective writing is another.
Practicing music is a great dojo for practicing self-awareness. There's no better way to learn to manage your frustration on a regular basis than practicing the piano every day.
But kids only learn about self-awareness if we teachers and parents teach it to them.
So, let's get to work.