Moral Lessons

Published Nov 21, 2021

There’s a famous saying that goes: train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Indeed, a child’s formative years play a big role in how they behave as adults. At this age, they are like sponges. They absorb everything that adults around them do. The things you teach your child today will stay with them until their later years.

That’s why if you want your kid to grow up to be a kind and warm-hearted person, you need to teach them as early as now.

Here are 100+ acts of kindness you can teach your kids today:

1. Let someone get ahead in line.
2. Feed stray cats and dogs.
3. Hold the door open for someone.
4. Make your own bed.
5. Donate outgrown clothes.
6. Throw your trash in the proper garbage bin.
7. Say kind words to everyone.
8. Compliment a friend.
9. Say hello to people.
10. Make someone else’s bed.
11. Put change in a vending machine.
12. Volunteer in a local charity.
13. Return books to the library.
14. Clean up toys without being asked.
15. Send a postcard to a friend.
16. Take care of someone’s pet while they’re away.
17. Feed the birds.
18. Plant something.
19. Don’t waste food.
20. Recycle paper after drawing.
21. Take out the trash without being asked.
22. Return what you borrowed.
23. Help elderlies cross the street.
24. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
25. Share a toy with a friend.
26. Bring cookies to a sick neighbor.
27. Sit next to someone you normally don’t at the lunch table.
28. Share your food with a hungry kid.
29. Help around the house without being asked to.
30. Offer to help an elderly friend or neighbor.
31. Bring flowers to your teacher.
32. Tell your teacher when someone is being bullied.
33. Make a get-well card for someone.
34. Make a homemade gift for someone.
35. Don’t interrupt when someone else is speaking.
36. Visit a sick friend or relative.
37. Lend your books to your friends.
38. Offer your seat to a pregnant woman or the elderly.
39. Water a neighbor’s garden if they are away.
40. Check in on an elderly neighbor.
41. Donate your savings to charity.
42. Write thank-you notes to your parents and teachers.
43. Help a classmate who has a hard time with their classwork.
44. Clear up a mess you didn’t make.
45. Use your pocket money to buy food for your classmate who can’t afford lunch.
46. Share your paper and other school supplies with your classmates.
47. Donate your old school uniform to a schoolmate in need.
48. Offer to play with someone nobody wants to play with.
49. Pick up litter from the ground and put it in the trash bin.
50. Leave food and water outside for the birds.
51. Set up or clear up the dining table without being asked.
52. Lend someone your hat and gloves if you’re warm and they’re cold.
53. Put your shoes and coat in the right place after school rather than dumping them on the floor.
54. Make handwritten thank-you cards for all your birthday or Christmas presents.
55. Donate your cut hair to a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer.
56. Make sandwiches to take to your local soup kitchen.
57. Put grocery carts back.
58. Do chores for someone who needs a helping hand.
59. Take injured or abandoned animals to the vet or the shelter.
60. Make a care package for the homeless.
61. Write encouraging notes to kids with terminal illnesses.

What does it really mean to be a good citizen? If you’ve been asking yourself this question, then you’re not alone. With everything that’s happening in our country (and the world) right now, the definition of being a good citizen tends to vary for every person. Most of the time, it’s based on their political views and their stand on certain issues.

But being a good citizen goes beyond the black and white of politics. It doesn’t matter which side of the political spectrum you’re on. What matters is how you make this country a better place to live in.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some suggestions on how to be a good citizen:

1. Be Patriotic

The dictionary defines patriotism as the love for or devotion to one’s country. This is why being patriotic is one of the most important qualities of a good citizen.

You see, when you love someone, you only want the best for them. The same thing applies when you love your country. You don’t want it to come to harm. Rather, you want it to improve and be the best that it can be. And if necessary, make sacrifices for it to achieve greatness.

2. Give Back to the Community

As citizens and human beings, we are morally obliged to look out for our brothers and sisters in need. It’s what makes us a society. So if you want to be a good citizen, give back to your community. Donate to charities and volunteer in non-profit organizations. Help the poor and the sick. Start a fundraising activity for a worthwhile cause. Whatever it is, as long as you make other people’s lives better, then you have already done your duty as a citizen of this country.

3. Be a Productive Member of Society

To be a productive member of society means actively contributing to its betterment. The operative term here is “productive” which is the same as “useful”. That’s why being one is essentially the basic requirement of being a good citizen. A productive member of society is someone who is of use to the society he/she belongs to. They are the ones who make a positive contribution to the country. In short, a good citizen.

4. Take Part in Social Issues

Admit it or not, most of us tend to take part in social issues only when it concerns us. But being a good citizen also means getting involved in issues plaguing the country – even if it doesn’t directly affect you. This doesn’t necessarily mean going out in the streets and taking part in rallies and demonstrations. Just being aware of those issues and educating others about them is a good start. Though actively doing your part to solve those issues would be much better.

5. Vote

Voting is one of the ways you can show your country that you care. Whether it’s your local school board or the national elections, your vote can make a change. It’s not just a right but a responsibility. Besides, there are so many people in the world right now who are robbed of the right to vote. Don’t waste that opportunity given to you.

6. Mentor Someone

Sharing your knowledge is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your country. If our ancestors didn’t share their knowledge, no civilization would flourish. So go ahead. Mentor someone. Ask your local school board for any after-school teaching opportunities. If you have a particular skill you want to share, you can also offer internship opportunities to the youth in your local community.

Published May 30, 2021

Most of us want to make a difference – to not just live, but to live with a purpose. But making a difference usually entails sacrifices. Unfortunately, few are willing to give up the relative comfort of their safe zones for the sake of making the world a better place.

As we make our way into the world, we tend to become so wrapped up in all our concerns. We forget that others have their own struggles too. Or that we can do something to ease their sufferings, even if we are having a tough time ourselves.

Truth is, we can all make a difference. No matter how small or how insignificant your effort may seem, it can make an impact. Just like how a small drop of water can cause ripples, you too can effect change. Small actions like giving a sandwich to a homeless man or even just being there can make a world of difference for that person. Now, imagine if all of us will do that for each other.

If you’re still not convinced, these quotes about making a difference will change your mind:

1. In a gentle way, you can shake the world. – Mahatma Gandhi
2. The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better. – Robert F. Kennedy
3. We rise by lifting others. – Robert Ingersoll
4. Each of us can make a difference. Together we make change. – Barbara Mikulski
5. No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. – Martin Luther King Jr.
6. Never underestimate the difference YOU can make in the lives of others. Step forward, reach out, and help. This week reach to someone that might need a lift. – Pablo
7. Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room. – Christine Todd Whitman
8. If you can find ways to give people hope that they can achieve something or make a difference, then there’s an opportunity for something good to happen. – Jeffrey Skoll
9. No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.- Aesop
10. Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, always about the goal. – Jeremy Bravo
11. Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good. – Minor Myers
12. Kindness can transform someone’s dark moment with a blaze of light. You’ll never know how much your caring matters. Make a difference for another today. – Amy Leigh Mercree
13. Even though the world is large, one person can still make a world of difference. – Frank Sonnenberg
14. You are never too insignificant to make a difference. – Gift Gugu Mona
15. We’re here to bring beauty to the world and make a difference in this planet. That’s what art forms are about. – Charlie Haden
16. The question is not whether you can make a difference in the world but what useful difference you can make! – Mehmet Murat Ildan
17. You may find that making a difference for others makes the biggest difference in you. – Brian Williams
18. Stand for something. Make your life mean something. Start where you are with what you have. You are enough. – Germany Kent
19. You do only live once, and I feel like if I’m able to make a difference on this planet and make it just a little better than I found it, then I’ve done my job. – Bindi Irwin
20. The best the world has to offer comes from the best you have to give to others. – Matshona Dhliwayo
21. When you are called for a great duty because you have been given a great ability, do your very best to leave great footprints no matter what! – Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
22. Love people who hate you. Pray for people who have wronged you. It won’t just change their life…it’ll change yours. – Mandy Hale
23. When you believe in what you’re doing and use your imagination and initiative, you can make a difference. – Samuel Dash
24. It is our job to make a difference and leave the world a better place. – Karol G.
25. Love is a great gift, cherish it, share it, and make this world a better place with the love you have to give. – Heather Wolf
26. Make a difference in someone’s life every day. It does make a difference. Everyone has the ability to make a difference. It doesn’t take much to give someone encouragement. The wheel always comes full circle, and whatever we give out will always return to us. The most meaningful acts are often the ones we commit without prompting or expectations. We have such profound power when we lend an ear, a hand, or an act of kindness. – Angie Karan
27. If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart. – Arabian Proverb
28. It is better to have a meaningful life and make a difference than to merely have a long life. – Bryant H. McGill
29. Whatever change you desire for the world, create that change in your own life. You are here for a purpose. Seek it out. Hunt it down. The greatest misery is to be purposeless. The great depression of our age is not economic, but spiritual. Our spiritual poverty is rooted in our purposelessness. – Matthew Kelly
30. We all owe everyone for everything that happens in our lives. But it’s not owing like a debt to one person- it’s really that we owe everyone for everything. Our whole lives can change in an instance- so each person who keeps that from happening, no matter how small a role they play, is also responsible for all of it. Just by giving friendship and love, you keep the people around you from giving up – and each expression of friendship or love may be the one that makes all the difference. – Will Schwalbe

Published March 25, 2021

Despite all the evils in this world, most of us, at the core, just want to be good human beings. We want to make the right choices and avoid making wrong decisions. What we usually don’t count on is that the question of what is right and wrong may yield different answers from different people.

You see, what is “good” for one person may not necessarily be for others. And what other people consider as “bad” might be different from yours. So how then can you know that you’re making the right choice? That’s where your moral compass comes into play.

What Exactly is a Moral Compass?

The dictionary defines moral compass as the person’s ability to judge what is right and wrong and act accordingly. Some people also define it as a set of values that guides our decision-making, affects our actions, and defines us as a person.

In essence, a moral compass is just as its name suggests. It points us in the right direction. Even if all of us have different definitions of right and wrong, our moral compass provides an objective standard. It doesn’t just help us see what is right and wrong. It also helps us see what must be done for the greater good even if it may not be beneficial for us.

Without our moral compass to guide us, it’s so easy to just do whatever is convenient for us – nevermind if it’s right or wrong. It becomes so easy to stretch the truth whenever it benefits us or do things without thinking of the consequences – both for us and for others. We become selfish, greedy monsters who only care about our own needs and wants.

Published February 18, 2021

Everyone has someone who looks up to them. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, brother, sister, boss, or even a friend, chances are there’s someone who considers you as their role model.

Though everyone can be a role model, not everyone can become a good role model. You see, a good role model is someone who others want to follow. They command respect and admiration because of how they conduct themselves and inspire others.

But being a role model also entails a huge responsibility. When someone looks up to you, it means you have a considerable amount of influence over them. They’ll hang on to your every word and tend to imitate your actions. So if you want them to become better human beings, make sure you set a good example.

Here are 10 ways you can be a good role model for others:

1. Be Confident But Not Arrogant

It’s good to be proud of your achievements but not to the point of arrogance. This can be a tricky one since there’s a very fine line between confidence and arrogance.

To help you gauge yourself, remember that confident people inspire others with their achievements. While arrogant people have to put other people down just to prove that they’re better than them. People tend to follow someone who inspires them, not those who make them feel bad about themselves. Besides, if you’re putting others down, how can you be a good role model for them?

2. Practice What You Preach

A real role model walks the talk. They don’t just tell people about what to do, they show them how to do it. They stand for what they believe in, no matter how hard it can be. Standing up to your beliefs lends you greater credibility and establishes you as someone with a strong moral fiber. Now, that is someone worth imitating.

3. Work Hard For Your Goals

Do you think a person who constantly slacks off makes a great role model? I don’t think so, too. You see, people respect hard work, especially if they see you beat all the odds and emerge successful. It inspires them to work hard for their goals too.

4. Be True to Yourself

Some of the most inspirational people in history are those who weren’t afraid to be themselves. They are the kind of people who didn’t care about societal norms. They were trailblazers who, rather than walking a well-trodden path, were brave enough to make a new path of their own.

Published February 4, 2021

You may not realize it but every moment of our day, we make a moral decision. From the moment you wake up until you go to sleep, your moral values are constantly put to the test. Even simple acts like making your bed or coming to work early involve a moral decision. That’s how moral values affect every facet of our lives.

Yet, the question of what moral values are seems to stop most of us in our tracks. If I am to ask you now what your moral values are, you’d probably think of honesty, respect, courage, and the like. But these traits are your values. And, as you will learn later, not all values can be considered moral values.

So what then are moral values? In this post, we’ll define moral values and how they motivate us.

Moral Values Definition

To define moral values, we first need to define the two words that made it up: values and morals.

In a philosophical context, values are traits that are considered desirable. As mentioned, this includes honesty, respect, and courage among others. But even though we tend to think of values as something good, it may not always be that way.

Courage, for example, in certain situations can come off as foolish bravado. While some people may view honesty as tactlessness. In short, values are relative. It can be good or bad depending on the situation and the person. But it’s also because of this that values tend to be more personal. Each of us has certain traits that we desire. They motivate our actions and reactions to people and circumstances.

Morals, on the other hand, are defined in the dictionary as a person’s standards of behavior depending on what they think is right or not. It governs our behavior and defines our intentions in everything that we do. It’s more than just what society thinks you should do. It’s that basic instinct of right and wrong common to all humans.

Published February 4, 2021

When trying to impart an important moral lesson to kids, short stories are often the go-to for most parents. It not only tickles their imagination, but it also teaches them about life.

Short stories have a way of teaching lessons that makes them more relatable and interesting. Rather than just telling your kid not to lie, relating a short story about it helps them understand what happens when they lie. It helps them become more aware of their actions and their consequences. The moral lessons from these stories also help shape their character and moral compass as they grow old.

Here are 10 short stories with moral lessons that your kids (and even some adults) will learn a thing or two from:

1. The Hare and the Tortoise

There was once a hare who was friends with a tortoise. One day, he challenged the tortoise to a race. Seeing how slow the tortoise was going, the hare thought he’ll win this easily. So he took a nap while the tortoise kept on going. When the hare woke up, he saw that the tortoise was already at the finish line. Much to his chagrin, the tortoise won the race while he was busy sleeping.

Moral of the story:

There are actually a couple of moral lessons we can learn from this story. The hare teaches that overconfidence can sometimes ruin you. While the tortoise teaches us about the power of perseverance. Even if all the odds are stacked against you, never give up. Sometimes life is not about who’s the fastest or the strongest, it’s about who is the most consistent.

2. The Dog and the Bone

Once there was a dog who wandered the streets night and day in search of food. One day, he found a big juicy bone and he immediately grabbed it between his mouth and took it home. On his way home, he crossed a river and saw another dog who also had a bone in its mouth. He wanted that bone for himself too. But as he opened his mouth, the bone he was biting fell into the river and sank. That night, he went home hungry.

Moral of the story:

If we always envy what others have, we’ll end up losing what we already have, just like the greedy dog.

3. The Thirsty Crow

After flying a long distance, a thirsty crow was wandering the forest in search of water. Finally, he saw a pot half-filled with water. He tried to drink from it but his beak wasn’t long enough to reach the water inside. He then saw pebbles on the ground and one by one, he put them in the pot until the water rose to the brim. The crow then hastily drank from it and quenched his thirst.

Moral of the story:

If there’s a will, there’s a way. Every problem has a solution if we just look hard enough and don’t give up.

4. Lazy John

There was a boy named John who was so lazy, he couldn’t even bother to change his clothes. One day, he saw that the apple tree in their yard was full of fruits. He wanted to eat some apples but he was too lazy to climb the tree and take the fruits. So he lay down underneath the tree and waited for the fruits to fall off. John waited and waited until he was very hungry but the apples never fell.

Moral of the story:

Laziness can get you nowhere. If you want something, you need to work hard for it.

5. The Fox and The Grapes

Once there was a hungry fox who stumbled upon a vineyard. After seeing the round, juicy grapes hanging in a bunch, the fox drooled. But no matter how high he jumped, he couldn’t reach for it. So he told himself that it was probably sour and left. That night, he had to sleep on an empty stomach.

Moral of the Story:

Most of us have the tendency to act like the fox. When we want something but think it’s too hard to attain, we make up excuses. We tell ourselves that it’s probably not that great instead of working hard for it.

Published February 4, 2021

For most of us, this pandemic has changed a lot of things. Being stuck at home for months and prohibited from doing the things we usually do can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. But on the flip side, it has also made us see things in a different light. For the most part, we more fully appreciate the things we used to take for granted.

As the months wear on, we realize that we really did take a lot of things – and people – for granted. It’s just a pity that it took a pandemic to make us realize how blessed we are. Most of the time, we don’t really know what we have until it’s gone.

In our quest for wealth, fame, and success, we become blinded by our goals and ambitions. We chase after the things we want that we forget to appreciate the things we already have. What most of us fail to realize is that those things we took for granted might only just be a dream for others.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t have dreams or ambitions. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But sometimes, we need to slow down and smell the fresh morning dew or savor our coffee’s aroma. Simple things like this allow us to appreciate our blessings and teach us what really matters in life.

So if you’re having a hard time seeing the silver lining right now, just think of the things you probably don’t notice that you have and be grateful for it. To help you out, here are some things we take for granted that others can only dream of:

1. Waking Up Today

When you woke up this morning, the first thought that comes to your mind is probably your to-do list for the day. But have you stopped and thought about how lucky you are to be able to wake up today? Every day is a blessing. Being alive itself is a miracle. So don’t ever take it for granted again.

2. Freedom of Choice

The freedom to choose your food, clothing, and even who to marry is a luxury for others. Most of us are born with that freedom. So it’s no wonder why we usually take it for granted. But imagine a life without being able to make those choices – a life where other people get to decide for you and you don’t have a say in the matter. That will definitely put things in perspective.

3. The Ability to Travel

If there’s one thing that this pandemic has made us appreciate, it’s the ability to travel. Some can only dream of exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing a different culture. Now that we’re not able to travel as freely as we used to, we finally get a glimpse of how they must feel. So the next time you go off to some exotic place, appreciate every moment.

4. Being Able to Move

Walking, running, dancing, or even just moving in general is something that most of us take for granted. But being able to move is one of the greatest things about being alive. Without it, you won’t be able to do certain things. It’s one of the greatest blessings that you should never ever take for granted.

Published Oct 12, 2020

During his ministry, Jesus used parables to teach people a lesson or introduce them to the kingdom of God. They’re basically stories about real-life scenarios that contain a hidden message. One such story is the parable of the talents.

In the Bible, the parable appears twice: in Luke 19:11-27 and in Matthew 25:14-30. Though the details differ, both versions narrate the same story:

A master was set to travel to distant lands. But before his trip, he called three of his servants and gave each of them a talent according to their abilities. To the first servant, he gave five talents; to the second, two, and just one for the last servant. Then he went on his journey.

The first two servants went and put their money to work. While the last one dug a hole in the ground and hid what he received.

When the master came back, he asked the servants what became of the talents he gave them. The first one proudly replied that he gained 5 talents more with what the master had given him. The second servant also earned two talents more from the initial two he received. When the third servant came forward, he told his master what he did claiming that he did it out of fear.

Obviously, the master was very happy with the first two servants. As a reward for what they did, he put them in charge of more things and invited them to share his happiness. As for the third servant, he took the talent from him and banished him from his house.

The parable concluded with Jesus saying that those who have will be given more while those who have nothing, everything will be taken away from them.

Like any parable, this seems like an ordinary story about a master and his servants. But what message does Jesus want to tell us through this parable? Let’s look at the meaning behind the parable of the talents.

Decoding the Parable

For centuries, the parable of the talents has been interpreted in varying ways. Most of the time, the perspective changes depending on who’s doing the interpretation. But to get to the bottom of the parable, we need to decode its details.