what survival of the fittest means in real life

Survival of the fittest.

In its most basic form, it means that whichever species is the most well-adapted to their surroundings survives and reproduces. Many times, it's the biggest, strongest, toughest, most aggressive species that survives the best.

But recently, I had an experience as a teacher that made me think differently about it.

It was time to change seats. My students each wrote the names of three people in the class they'd like to sit by, and then I made the seating chart. What I noticed as I read those papers is that the same few people were listed on almost everyone's paper.

It wasn't the most aggressive students that everyone wanted to sit by. It wasn't the biggest or strongest or toughest.

It was the kindest.

Everyone put down the most kind, caring, and responsible students on their paper. They didn't want to sit by those who make fun of other people, those who call out in class to get attention, or those who feel the need to gather a little following behind them {not that I have many of those. I have an amazing class.}. 

And it got me thinking - maybe the world doesn't need any more tough, aggressive people. Maybe the world already has all the harshness and brutality it needs.

Maybe what the world needs to really survive is a little more kindness, a little more concern for others, a little more gentleness.

And, as my 5th graders taught me, maybe those are the people who will have the easiest time surviving.