As 2015 begins to come to an end, it is far from difficult to remember the tumultuous year that was and the task that lies ahead.

As part and parcel of any election cycle, solutions to these very ills are being bandied about by candidates for public office, especially the overflowing field for president. There seems to be very little agreement as to what those solutions should be.

Getting agreement on any topic is impossible it seems, which is par for the course in American politics, because let’s face it, if you agree with your opponent on any matter at all, you just aren’t original and have no business leading.

But with all the dissension out there, there could be a way to find a solution to all of these social and religious upheavals, and it may never be a more fitting time to offer it than now, during the Christmas season. The problem is, while it is sensible and actually is profound in its way, there is no way it could ever be instituted.

Not everyone observes Christmas, and despite the opinions of many, that’s OK. A difference of opinion is actually not a bad thing because it fosters discussion and growth — although you wouldn’t think that was true the way things have been going. And while not everyone observes or believes, there is a message that applies to everyone, no matter their faith, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic position.

We all began in the same way, which is where the solution to the world’s hatred and divisiveness resides.

As we age it is assumed experience and maturity are good things, but when talking about the sad state of our world, full of hatred, violence, and venom, it is exactly the aging and maturation process that breeds issues such as those causing so much heartache and death around the world.

When you were a child, someone at some point told you to mind your own business — in one way or another, though the words may have been different — because you were a child and had no concept of what you were discussing. Instead it has always been assumed adults had what it takes to run the world, but that isn’t true. These same adults are bigots, prejudiced, greedy, cruel, violent, jaded, and otherwise stilted in their view of the world.

But, no, this adult outlook has and will ruin the world. Want to solve the world’s ills? Take a few notes from the playbook that is being a child. Here are some of the most important rules children live by that the rest of the adult world could learn from.

— Other children do not have skin color, other than it is different and has no effect on how they play hide and seek. They are all friends.

— Being cruel is wrong. Don’t use a person’s shortcomings to beat them down. It isn’t nice.

— Sharing what you have, when someone has none, is a good thing. Who wants to eat Animal Crackers alone when all can have some and enjoy?

— Be forgiving, and mean it. Ever seen an small child have a stress related illness because of holding a grudge?

— Children do not judge. Well, not until they are taught to do so by the adults of the world.

— Though they will fight, they do not enjoy it and will go out of their way to find an alternative, usually apologizing.

— Love everyone and it will all be OK. Yes, children hug and love everyone because, having no ill intent in their hearts it is their assumption no one has ill intentions either.

— Be happy. This may be the most important lesson because when you are happy, it is difficult to be mean.

Children are a clean slate with no preconceived notions of prejudices. Those are behaviors that are taught to them by adults and once ingrained are difficult to remove, if it is ever possible to do so. Maybe the leaders and citizens of this world should stop thinking as adults and begin to think as children once again, as the adult way of doing business does not seem to be going so well.

Besides, who among you would not relish the chance to be a happy, carefree, loving and forgiving child once again?