Children laugh, cry, and observe. But far and away the most valuable quality that children possess is their ability to appreciate. Their innocence incepted at birth reigns clear throughout their maturation process. Their excitement is palpable over seemingly mundane objects, festivities, and games. Playing with everything and anything, they see beauty in the colorless, wisdom in the speechless, and calm in the chaos. A witness to everything that life has to offer and yet their comprehension level limited, children can serve as a reminder of ourselves at a point when we saw the world differently.
When we feel overwhelmed and burdened by the life we have created for ourselves as adults, we can often lose sight of the true meaning behind these moral lives of ours; meaning we strive to understand throughout a lifetime and yet acquire insight into as we move forward with each day. When questioned about how some people in the elderly population have been able to survive as long as they have, a common answer is, "I didn’t let myself get old."
Beyond the scope of disease, accidents, and depression, the will to survive the mounting stress and feat that often drives the adult population to give up on the beauty in life in many arenas in their lives, exists the power to maintain a child-like innocence without deceptively convincing oneself they are invincible. There are real threats in our world, small and large, and yet the ability to tap into our sophisticated naivety can be paramount in managing the ups and downs we experience.
Taking the time to view a situation, person, or experience through the lens of a child can lead to an astute understanding of what we can glean from this life. When money problems arise, relationship issues take over, or you fall victim to other’s callousness, you may just want to take the time to blow up a balloon, swing on the swings, or talk to a child for their advice, as often the most infantile components of our worlds can provide the most sound insight if you are open to it.