Do you remember the old TV show "Kids Say the Darndest Things" hosted by Art Linkletter 1945-1969? He speaks of the story of his granddaughter asking him what to talk about in front of her class, and he replied, "I am sure you can come up with something appropriate to say on your own." The next day, while holding Art's hand she says to the classroom, "this is my grandpa, he is 80 years old, and he is still alive." Is it not true, kids have so many innocent and naive attributes? It is these innocent characteristics that draw us to them. We cannot help but laugh, their blamelessness and innocence are what makes rearing children so special giving us parents and grandparents stories to retell over and over. But, let me ask, where did the innocence of children go? What happened to us adults?
In one of this week's episodes, I interviewed a pediatric dentist who discussed creating an environment of kindness and a sense of feeling safe for children for their first dental exam. But he highlighted the fact that many times children pick up on the parent's apprehension and this affects them negatively. However, children are very resilient, opened hearted and are better patients than adults, he said in so many words. And their innocent attributes, their honesty and their inquisitiveness are what imbued me to reflect and author this article. I do not know about you, but we still have a child hiding within us, whether you want to admit it or not. It is the desire from within to aspire for a long life, experiencing exciting new things with anticipation, much like a child would do. I would describe it as the inherent mechanism of wanting to live forever. However, this relentless world has a way of burying who we were as a child deep inside. The world we live in imposes so many negative responsibilities that are out of our control, heart-breaking experiences that keep that once carefree child we were at bay. I think it would be fair to say, this world has taught most people to be selfish and avarice or greedy, what belongs to me is mine, no time for anyone else. Have you ever been to a restaurant, and across the way a toddler sitting on his highchair with his big sparkly eyes looking at you with a watermelon smile, never mind his missing teeth, waving at you, and never mind the spaghetti sauce all over his chubby cheeks? Children have an amazing natural ability to see only the good, uninhibited to say hello to everyone, they spontaneously break out in song and dance on the drop of a hat. In keeping with social norms, as adults, are we kind to strangers? Do we say hello or wave to passer byers randomly as a child would? We can learn from children and enjoy adulthood exceedingly more. I know of adults that are easily excitable, as if they saw something for the very first time. They are not self-conscious of what people may think or say about them. And I have noticed they tend to be admired more than most, they have plenty of friends and I suspect it is because their circle of friends would love to be just as uninhibited but are restrained, thus, they keep their child hidden within. What a shame! Of course, there are childhood traits that we should be grateful for that we do not exhibit such as throwing ourselves on the floor with a tantrum, but let us be honest about it, I believe plenty of us still throw tantrums, however, in more socially acceptable ways. Like fighting with our loved ones over the most mundane things, ignoring people when we do not get our way or just because we woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and the bed is up against the wall. And much like a toddler, letting everyone know you are grumpy and remaining sullenly silent or withdrawn. We are not always displaying the trait of a toddler but doing it, just in more of a calculating or manipulative way, but in terms of a so-called adult manner. Can you see that the child within us is not completely hidden? Obviously, as adults, these childish aspects have not fallen to the wayside, but why are we missing the child's happy carefree desirable part? Toddlers are friendly with everyone and exude kindness, what in the world happened to us? If they like something, they cannot wait to say it, that childhood innocence just envelops them like billowy cotton candy. When given a piece of candy, the toddler makes sure everyone gets a piece, they do not overanalyze but generously give compliments with the sweetest smile, they are a real hoot. Is it not interesting, a toddler’s laughter comes before speech is fully developed? Should that tell us something? Besides funny faces and surprise tickles, and other physical silliness prompts toddlers to laugh uncontrollably and even with a sudden exaggerated movement is enough to set them off. Do you not wish that you could see simple things just as funny? Laughter is good medicine and essential to our health and happiness , so why not learn from children? When we laugh, they join us in laughter, when someone dances, they join in dance, they say hello to everyone and everything, always striking up random talk wherever they go. They give a friendly hello to the teller; they cheerfully greet everyone and everything in their pathway. Hello to the gentleman sweeping the street, wave hello to the fish in the bowl, hello to the lady pushing the grocery cart. Have you ever heard of a toddler complaining about their outfit or their candy sticky face? The joy of being a child is incomparable! When did we start caring too much about ourselves and being so self-conscious about everything we say and do? Why have we become so judgmental and critical about people and everything that surrounds us? Do you think a toddler is concern if the cushions are not straight or the toilet paper is not the direction you think it should be? Are those things really so life altering important? If not, why do we allow these trivial things to rob our everyday enjoyment of life? If I may speak plainly, as adults we become egocentric, edgy, and condemnatory about everything that does not fit our narrative. We suffer from anxiety and stressed about things that do not matter at the end of the day. My encouragement is not to live in a dream world, it is not to minimize the quality of neatness and organization, not to be overly concern of our personal belongings, but my main point is we need to start establishing a true balance or priority of what really matters and the interconnection with others is where it is. And this is soberingly obvious in how children interact with others. True, we do not live in Mayberry, North Carolina, a fictional community of 2,000 neighbors with Andy Taylor, the widowed sheriff, Aunt Bee or with Opie not to mention deputy, Barney Fife . However, I would venture to say we can build on those same qualities of concern for one another and the end effect, others will be encouraged to reciprocate. I believe we could adopt these traits too and enjoy a much more joyous way of life. We can decide that! Even if we feel there is a thunderstorm brewing, trouble or an upset is on the horizon, you have the wherewithal and tenacity to make changes to make a real difference. Anger is such a pervasive problem in many people; however, it is time to lance the infection, it is time to stop being the fish at the end of the hook being controlled by others. No matter what we have experienced in the past, we can be lighthearted even if negativity is the mantra we bear and the billboard we advertise, it can dissipate by deciding to smile a little more often. We can choose the state of being content or happy starting today. Let your guard down and say hello to strangers or wave at them as you carry on in your daily affairs. Go ahead and tap your foot to the rhythm of the music in the department store or at least hum along. Decide to reflect the sweet innocence of a child, that unmistakable delightful behavior, the excitement, and the joy of a toddler. Yes, sad things happened to us making it a struggle to recover. Yes, maybe our innocence was stolen, but that does not nullify the human spirit to recapture those childlike joys. We can begin to reclaim our emotional liberty from the negatives. We can begin paying attention to ourselves a bit more, and possibly seek professional help if necessary. Incidentally, mental health experts have conceded that by reading and taking to heart Matthew Chapters 5-7, known as the Sermon of The Mount, comes highly recommended in lieu of psychological intervention, providing there is no chemical imbalance. Additionally, increasing exercised, healthier diet, getting a little more vitamin D by way of sunshine, taking additional supplements, more hydration, and giving thought of more ways to change our current mindset can only help. Yes, we cannot change the world on our own, but we can change who we are. And remember, by having a genuine smile or by just saying hello to a stranger or better yet, reaching out to an old friend,, you may change their day in a positive way. Childhood innocence is still within us if we actively look for it, live by it, and by being natural!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2024
Categories |