In my three years of working with kids, it's safe to say that I have learned that I am capable of loving more than I ever thought possible. Each time I've thought to myself, "I could not fit any more love into my heart if my life depended on it," I've met another child, family, or staff member that has reminded me all over again that my finest quality is the ability to exponentially give and receive love. I've been so amazed each time a parent or employee has told me that they are thankful I am in their or their child's life. And in an ideal world, I would have as big of an impact on them as they have had on me, and maybe I have, but one thing I know for certain is that I am irrevocably changed by the children I've encountered. Here are my favorite lessons that I've learned from those amazing little geniuses.

1. There is a reason for everything.

I can't tell you how many times I've sat with a child as they exasperatedly told me that they didn't know why they hit so-and-so, or that they didn't know why they couldn't sit still/listen only to find out that they were acting out for some reason or other. It could be anything from "the music at assembly was too loud" to "my father is abusive and mom has finally kicked him out, but I'm having a hard time adjusting". Sometimes it's even been something as simple as the child didn't have snack that afternoon. These kids have taught me that no matter my mood/words/actions, there's a reason, and I need to search inside myself to find what's going on and come up with a solution.

2. The littlest things have the biggest impacts.

The first time I was out of the hospital and back on the road to recovery, I remember I was going to give up again when one of my favorite campers gave me a "gemstone" he had found for me. We sat and talked only to find out that his life at home was rough to say the least, and he looked forward to playing Batman with me every day. I learned then that that small game I played with him for five minutes on the playground each day gave him something to hold onto for the other 24 hours in his day. I remember this whenever I'm feeling grumpy or tired, and try to always put forth the extra effort and be kind, because I never know what a smile could do for someone else's day.

3. Honesty is the best policy.

While I sometimes wish my kids wouldn't ask me if I'm "having a baby" when I eat too many Cookout trays or ask what "all the red cuts on my face" are when I'm having a break out, I've learned that there is nothing better in this world than a child's ability to tell it like it is. Now, I only offer genuine compliments, because I know how much more a compliment means when the person giving it is always real with you. I also have learned that you get in much less trouble if you tell the whole truth the first time.

4. Standing up for yourself is okay.

I can't tell you how many times I've beat myself up for being assertive, but yet I never hesitate to tell my kids to speak up and say what they need. People aren't mind readers, and sometimes all you need to do to fix a problem is ask a counselor if they'll be your buddy so you can ride the water slide next time you go to the pool.

5. Someone is always listening.

Unfortunately, I and too many other counselors have learned this unfortunate lesson when little ones have offered up direct quotes from us to their parents or peers. While this lesson can be a very entertaining one, it is also so important to note that no matter how you're feeling, someone is always noticing, and that help may just be one request to sit next to each other at snack away.

6. Fair does not mean equal.

"Fair", I'm convinced, is the real "F-word." I dread the horrifying "but that's not fair" like anyone else dreads nails on a chalk board. While I do believe that all people have the same rights, I don't feel that everyone needs/deserves the same services to achieve those rights. Fairness would be giving a monkey and an elephant the same simple test: to climb a tree. But surely, a monkey and an elephant do not have the same tree climbing capabilities. Similarly, not all children are created equal and different people require different things to get to their end goal.

7. Everybody wins is a bunch of malarky.

I HATE the "everybody wins" mentality. It has created, quite possibly the most unsportsmanlike, whiney generation to date and it needs to stop. While it's fine to give participation trophies to 4, 5, and 6 year olds, your ten year old needs some healthy competition in their life. Kids need to know that hard work pays off, and what better way to do that than to give them some competition? The only people in the room that hate when I don't pick a winner more than I do, are the kids themselves.

8. Friends come in all different shapes and sizes.

I can't say this enough. Sure, the kids that grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools, and run in the same circles are plenty cute together, but my personal favorite part of camp is when kids from all backgrounds mix together to find joy.

9. Small improvements deserve praise.

When I was growing up, I fought so hard to reach my goals, but was destroyed if I didn't become an astronaut after watching one Discovery Kids episode about NASA. Kids today are the same way, I watch them set these huge expectations for themselves, and crumble when they fall short. I make a huge point to praise even the slightest improvement, as it encourages further improvement.

Ex: "Yes Ma'am, so unfortunately, Billy did punch another child in the face when he got upset today, but you should know that Billy realized he was wrong right away, told me the truth the first time I asked, and apologized on his own." Yes, Billy should still have a consequence, but shout that man out for trying to right his wrongs!

10. Every person is different and unique.

One day for a devotion, I chose to give each kid a genuine compliment excluding their aesthetics (so no "I love your smile" or "you always have the freshest kicks"). I wanted to dig deep and let these kids know what was beautiful about their souls. That first time I did that devotion, it was hard. I didn't realize how hard it was to give 30 kids each their own unique compliment. I also realized that I didn't know and appreciate my kids as much as I thought, as I struggled to think of deeper things to say to some. Since then, I've done it many more times, and now I find myself searching for people's special and unique qualities right from the moment I first meet them.

So yes, I've probably influenced some lives along the way, but I feel so unbelievably blessed, because I stand here today a much wiser woman, thanks to my sweet and sassy campers.