Sunday, October 01, 2006
A Child-Like Perspective
When my son was just toddler I remember him picking up leaves and investigating them as if they were the coolest things ever. He would explore what we might consider the most simply things with a wide-eyed curiosity and enthusiasm. It was a beautiful thing to see; to see a child so present in the moment, learning, and enthralled by the things surrounding him.
It wasn’t until most recently, while reading Jason Kotecki’s Escape Adulthood Manifesto (thank you, Kam-ster!) that I was reminded of this child-like approach to living. Ponder this… Isn’t it true that as adults we sometimes get so lost in all the day-to-day adult issues that we sometimes put the fun and enjoyment of life aside? We forget to be present in the moment, clouding our ability to see the great learning experiences and fantastic opportunities. Heck, we even forget to breathe!
How does the color blue suit you?
We can learn a lot from our children. We can learn to slow down and be in the here and the now. We can learn to look at almost everything with a renewed enthusiasm and zest for exploration. Just because we are older and even wiser that does not mean we are too old to learn, too old to explore, nor too old to play.
It is my wish for you that you gift yourself (if only for the week) the curiosity and spirit of a child. As I always say, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Make it a fun and child-like week! Until next time, be well…
Pam
Posted by Pam at 4:32:55 PM in Creating Change (105) | Permalink | Comments (6)
Comments
I haven't read the manifesto (although I will!), but wondered if you're familiar with Ashely Montagu's Neotenous Traits of a Child? They are:The need for love
Friendship
Sensitivity
The need to think soundly
The need to know.
The need to learn
The need to work
The need to organize
Curiosity
The sense of wonder
Playfulness
Imagination
Creativity
Openmindedness
Flexibility
Experimental-mindedness
Explorativeness
Resiliency
The sense of humor
Joyfulness
Laughter and tears
Optimism
Honesty and trust
Compassionate intelligence
Dance
Song
For me, it's about being childlike, not childish.
Great post, Pam!
S
Posted by Stacy on 04/10/2006
Hey Stacy!Thank you so much! I have not read Ashely Montagu's Neotenous Traits of a Child, but it looks like a must read to me!
Being childlike is so important and sometimes we forget how important!!
Love,
P
Posted by Pam on 04/10/2006
As one of the "older and even wiser" (one hopes) grown-ups, it is so difficult to remember how to be childlike, even though I have experienced those wonderful moments of playful abandon that just flowed naturally out of the present circumstance. It is the way I would choose to live all the time if life would get out of the way.Well, I read this just a little while ago in "Ask and It Is Given":
"...release resistance, and the more playful you are, the less resistance you hold...And with more practice, you will improve your point of attraction on every subject of your life."
Life getting in the way of being childlike is our resistance to attracting what we desire, and that is the freedom to be, do, and have anything we want.
I'm going to make it a point to find something this week that makes me feel completely slap-happy and not care who is looking or what anyone thinks!
Thanks for getting me thinking Pam!
Love,
Lynne
Posted by Lynne on 10/10/2006
Hi Lynne,I just love that book. :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Being in a place of childlike wonder is amazing...you get to see so much and in such a different way. Have a fun and childlike week!!
Love,
P
Posted by Pam on 10/10/2006
As I work with 2 1/2 to 4 year-olds, I get that first hand!Posted by suemamma on 10/10/2006
Sue, aren't kids just the greatest? We can truly learn so much from them.:)
Posted by Pam on 10/10/2006
