Welcome to childhood.
Some of us mistakenly believe we have broken free of childhood behaviours, attitudes and characteristics and somehow morphed into a different kind of creature commonly known as an ‘adult’.
Many of us attribute higher levels of development and intrinsic value to this supposedly ‘advanced’ and somehow ‘superior’ level of species development.
I don’t know. I can’t comment. I’ve never met an ‘adult’ yet.
Don’t misunderstand me – I’ve met plenty of people pretending to be adults! The world is full of them!
But they’re only pretending.
Scratch them a tad and they’ll cry like a baby, scream like a toddler or throw a tantrum worthy of any three year old.
Catch them out and they’ll lie with a straight face like a four year old.
Castigate or criticise them and they’ll shrink inside like a hurt five year old.
Why do I remind you of this fact?
Because that’s who we are: small children.
And the sooner we recognise and own that truth, the quicker we’ll develop into the beautiful children of God we are all meant to be.
Not only that, but we’ll have a whole lot more fun – and we’ll be able to stop masquerading as this imposter we call ‘an adult’.
Next time you’re at work or at the shops just look at the people who are around you……do they look happy?
Are they having fun?
Do they enjoy playing with their friends?
Are they inquisitive?
Is life a wondrous adventure?
Does a passing butterfly fill them with joy?
Does the night sky fill them with wonder?
Does a puppy playing nearby fill them with happiness?
Does a turtle extending its neck fill them with awe?
Does a dolphin fill them with breathlessness?
You and I would benefit enormously by owning the child within.
So here’s 8 simple ideas to remind us to regain our inner child (and embrace our authentic Self once again!).
1. STAY CURIOUS.
Ask questions, delve into the unknown, keep learning new things, let wonder turn your life into wonder-full…….
2. BE EMPATHETIC.
Feel the other person’s pain and joy and let your response flow from your heart. Don’t block your feelings. Feel, share….
3. HAVE INTEGRITY.
Don’t be who ‘they’ want you to be. Be your self. Live your own truth. Act honourably from your own heart…..
4. BE RESOURCEFUL.
Use what you have. Don’t crumble under the weight of lack.
Make the most of every minute, every day, every opportunity.
Just as it is…..just as it comes…..
5. MAKE FRIENDS.
No-one is an island. We are all family to one another. So make friends. Lots of them. Share the fun, the adventure, the challenges, the trials and the triumphs……
6. STAY HUMBLE.
Just be a child. You don’t need to pretend to be Chief, Captain, Guru,
Master, Leader or Clever-Dick. Just be you. The best ‘you’ you can be….
7. BE CREATIVE.
Use whatever is at hand. Just do it. Make it. Write it. Paint it. Sculpt it.
Plant it. Play it. Sing it. Create it without giving two hoots as to what others might say or think about it. It’s your way to express you.
That’s all that matters. So do it.
8. BE CONFIDENT.
Ignore the sceptics and the judges. They’re just kids playing sceptic and judge. You can disregard them along with any other negative influences that try to spoil your party. They’re just spoil-sports. Stay confident and remember you are a child……..a child of God!
Need help?
Please remember I am always here for you.
Be well, be safe – be happy!
Peace be within you.
Les