‘All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once you grow up’
Pablo Picasso
I had a lovely weekend by the sunny English seaside with my dear friends Davina and Ulrik and their adorable daughter Oona. I knew toddlers were energetic but this little girl, who is on the verge of the terrible twos, is a blast of endless energy and I have to admit after they left, I went straight to have a siesta!
Spending time with Oona reminded of the beauty of being childlike. For some reason, when we become adults we seem to ditch our best childlike qualities. Ironically, mindfulness experts keep reminding us about cultivating child-inspired simplicity. There are many benefits of going back to your roots…
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Kids are curious creatures. Oona picked up on every little sound – she noted the plane above, the pigeon cooing and the neighbour’s barking dog. Children are like sponges, ready to absorb, explore and experience new things. Sometimes as adults we forget to keep learning – we get in a rut and after school or uni is over, allow our brains to wind down! There is always something more to discover. The key is to be open-minded, just like we were when we were younger. When was the last time you tried something new for the first time?
FALL & RISE AGAIN
I’ve lost count the amount of times Oona accidentally banged into a wall or tumbled over. One time, she tripped and fell flat on her face on the pavement – she balled her eyes out for about 15 seconds but then tears were suddenly replaced by giggles. Kids forget quickly and move on. We can learn from this. When something goes wrong, the best thing is to get back up again and keep moving forward.
FORGIVE QUICKLY
Kids quickly forgive and forget. So after a playground bust up, a warring pair are best buddies again. If only we could re-learn this attitude of fast forgiveness, there would be less resentment and hate, more harmony and peace in the world.
LAUGH MORE
Oona is a bundle of joy with her infectious laugh. And she laughs a lot and sometimes for no apparent reason! She sees the positivity in almost anything and everything. In what could be a boring car journey, Oona will sing herself happy. According to experts, children laugh around 350-450 times per day whereas adults laugh about 15 times. A huge disparity! We should start taking life less seriously – after all, none of us are getting out alive!
LIVE IN THE PRESENT
Mindfulness experts say the secret to enjoying everyday life is learning to live in the moment. Children are almost always fully absorbed in the present. Oona spent hours building sandcastles on the beach and chasing her balloon (as you can see in the above photo) – her attention and focus was on what she was doing. She wasn’t worried about tomorrow or affected by what happened yesterday. If we are able to re-master this habit, then we would would eliminate some of our stress.
BE FREE-SPIRITED
Spontaneity is another beautiful quality that Oona exhibits. She just goes with the flow, listens to her heart and intuition. She is aware of her surroundings and in awe of the world. Why can’t we still be like that? We can if we choose to be. Even if our world isn’t all candy floss, we can try to see the world through a positive lens. Let go of rigid rules. Embrace your free-spirited side, be less concerned with society and convention. Do what feels right and listen to your intuition.
RUNNING WILD & CAREFREE
Being playful and carefree are attractive qualities. And children are our best teachers when it comes to having a fearless sense of fun. Being light hearted and not taking life so seriously boosts our immune system and makes life a far more enjoyable, unpredictable adventure. In a child’s world, the possibilities are endless.
DITCH THE COLD FISH ATTITUDE
Ever notice how children are naturally affectionate without any conditions attached? They are happy to be held and will happily give strangers a hug without expected anything in return. I’m not suggesting you go around hugging random people (you might get locked up!) but there’s nothing wrong with being genuinely friendly with no ulterior motive.
In many ways, being childlike equals a happier, more mindful adulthood. Of course, it’s not the same as being childish! We don’t need to start skipping down the street, but why not be more playful, aware and in awe of the world!
Love,
