Last week, I went to see a flower show. More than the flower show, which is the highlight, what spoke to my inner child was the peripheral activity.
There were food stalls, displays, and vendors who sold a variety of stuff from toys to gardening implements to decorative items to-you name it and it was there.
Best of all, was the sight of the balloon sellers, the giant bubble makers, and all the other children-stuff around. And of course, the children themselves. Their excitement is contagious and I can never help chasing those bubbles and enjoying the feeling of them bursting in my face!
I just love to allow the child in me to enjoy herself-making bubbles, skipping on the jump rope, joining a bunch of kids in their game, and laughing with them at their crazy jokes.
I still love to play with Play Doh and other toys!
I know some people see me strangely-and think I am childish. But I would rather see it as being child-like. I get excited about the little things. About the pattern of the water on the bathroom floor. I like to imagine stories looking at the clouds. I enjoy writing stories that exaggerate and fantasize and of course, extrapolate. I am impulsive. I like to jump in a puddle. I like to join kids who're playing jump rope. I like to break into song suddenly!
And usually, after something like this, I feel happiest and most creative!
Even when we attend functions, I quickly find myself drawn to the kids who usually have way more fun than the adults. The adults hang out together, holding their pent-up energy, discussing inane things-the same things they usually talk about whether they like it or not.
I'd much rather hang out with the kids-who use their imagination to amuse and entertain themselves, while the adults just follow a pre-determined agenda to do something they always do. Whether they like it or not.
Oh, nothing wrong with being an adult.
But nothing wrong with being child-like. Not condoning throwing tantrums or bursting into tears because I can't find my book. However, allowing the child in us to resurface every once in a while, can be a great way to live. Children see the world exactly the way it is: full of wonder, full of magic. Adults tend to stick to routine and "normal" and are more interested in the "shoulds".
As I said, not dissing adults, because we inevitably grow up to become them. All I am saying is-why leave the child in us behind as we grow up? Why allow the amazing nature of being a child to fade as we take on "adult" qualities of boring routine? Why not hold on to the greatness of childhood and enrich our lives by keeping our inner child alive? Why not hold on to that sense of curiosity, wonder and the non-judgmental acceptance of others, the joy of taking risks and the absence of fear?
The real you is still a little child who never grew up. Sometimes that little child comes out when you are having fun or playing, when you feel happy, when you are painting, or writing poetry, or playing the piano, or expressing yourself in some way. These are the happiest moments of your life-when the real you comes out, when you don't care about the past and you don't worry about the future. You are childlike.
Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
So, go do something silly and laugh.
Break into a dance step.
Sing out loud.
Join some kids at play.
Nurture your inner child
It's nice to be child-like. There's a lot to learn from children as we grow up into adults. Being child-like is a great way to approach the world and revel in its beauty and the wonderful gifts we are born with.
Greet your inner child daily, nourish it with thankfulness and love. Let it be innocent and playful, that's when it will come out and play and return you with all the joys you can't imagine.
Something to think about:
- Why do we leave our childhood habits behind as we grow up?
- What positive things can you take away from your childhood that can help you and enhance your life as an adult?
- Do you enjoy being child-like?
- Do you enjoy being an adult?
♥
Wednesday Wisdom is a series with short bursts of easy-to-consume wisdom in the form of stories, quotes, anecdotes, reflections, easy meditation, thought-provoking questions and humor.
