To Be Childlike

When did we stop giving ourselves permission to lay in the grass, let our minds wander and watch the clouds form and reform into describable shapes? "Oh, look, there’s a cow, oh now it looks like giraffe!"When did we stop jumping in the leaf pile, poking holes in tar bubbles, splashing in puddles or letting ourselves muck about in the mud and not worry about getting dirty? When did we stop believing in the magic of life? Did we decide that was just for kids?A wise person once told me that we need to distinguish between our childlike nature and our childish nature. What’s the difference?To be childlike is to connect to our sense of wonder, curiosity, play, spontaneity and our ability to pick ourselves up when we fall and try again and again until we learn to walk.As Adults, we learn to create our lives; to take responsibility for what we say and do and we don't blame others for how things turned out or as an excuse for our situation. We dust ourselves off, pick ourselves up and put one foot in front of the other. We don’t close down our hearts but make them available to ourselves and others. Everyone gets hurt. Everyone fails. Everyone has a story. It is part of the human condition.As Adults, we measure our words and actions armed with the knowledge that what we say and do has an impact (intended and unintended) on others. And we screw up even with the best of intentions. When there are unintended, harmful consequences, we clean up our mess--make things right, apologize and learn.Adults know the joy of giving-without expecting anything in return.Our source of inspiration, creativity and innovation arises from a childlike state of openness; to what is, to what isn’t and to what may emerge.I just finished reading an OpEd by Jane Mendelsohn in the New York Times about our never-ending fascination with Amelia Earhart. Why? Other than a desire to resolve the mystery of her death, she has inspired millions. She was a heroine, "a leader, not a passive bystander. She was strong, not a victim. And she was not born into a rich family, as were many other women pilots of her day, but was lifted up by her own accomplishments. In other words, she gives us good shoes to fill," according to the author.I believe we also are inspired by her curiosity and almost childlike, innocent zeal to do something no woman had done; to follow her heart and her dream. Amelia took responsibility for her dream and acted upon it."She was flying hopelessly around the world and searching for land, longing for one of those islands of stability some of us keep looking for in our 20s, a braceleted wrist held up to the face, hand shielding our eyes from the harsh sun of adulthood, not realizing that we will have to build that island for ourselves." Such a beautiful expression of the realization of the significance adulthood.Adults have a profound connection to a childlike sense of joy, wonder, spontaneity and curiosity. Blame and judgment are diminished in the face of childlike qualities. We are open and curious about people and situations.Adults cultivate an ability to see the world through others’ eyes. Even if we don’t agree, we can seek to understand and realize there are many points of view, not just one right way. Adults are open to influence.Adults are willing to examine longstanding beliefs and let go of ones that are no longer relevant and may in fact, be the source suffering.Perhaps the shift the world is waiting for is for us to reclaim our childlike quality AND step into our adulthood?With that, may you allow yourself to leap into a mud puddle, make a snow angel or boldly dare to follow your dream.For a reminder of the delight of imagination, click here: \”Pure Imagination\” on YouTubeAnd you?  What connects you to childlike wonder in you?