What do I mean by growing down instead of growing up? Lately, it has been on the forefront of my mind of what draws me to wanting to spend time with kids. One of the main reasons why I immensely enjoy the presence of kids is their childlike qualities.
Honestly, I think we can learn a lot from kids.
Children possess the characteristics that so many of us forget about or deem as unnecessary. Yes, maybe being like a child will not win us a award for being the most professional at work, but I would trade external recognition from others for the ability to internally recognize all the sweetness all around me. I aspire in many ways to grown down instead of up. I desire to be more consumed with the possibilities of the day than the things I cannot change. I desire to be less self-aware. I desire to do things more for me when it is appropriate...like dancing by myself instead of waiting to be asked to dance. Dressing up for the heck of it. Playing in the rain because I can. Go running for the freedom of it. Creating something without any audience in mind. Wearing things that exemplify to others how I feel. Starting something instead of waiting for someone else to start it. Chasing wildly after the things I believe are worth going after.
Under any and every circumstance, I could not and would not contain my excitement when I was younger. I did not do things because they were on a to do list; instead I did things for fun. I allowed my imagination to capture my heart as well as entire self. I did not mind if what I was doing did not make sense to others. I did not worry about being misunderstood. I did things in the pursuit for a new adventure. Time was never a passing thought of mine. Schedules never existed. New findings were treasures. Treasures of mine were not meant to be held on tightly, but were always to be shared. Lightheartedness was always present in every interaction. Oh, how I loved pretending to be somewhere was I was not. Stories were the best. I was never needing to take a break because the idea of pursuing new quests were more worthwhile.
I just want to embrace the individuality instead of conformity of youthfulness. Hindrances mean nothing when young ones have a goal in mind. I yearn to refocus my own set of lenses to be more like a childlike perspective. Everything is larger, newer, and more attractive.
There is no masking involved unless you mean costume masks. Every person around a child usually can understand within seconds how that child is doing. There is never a time or a place to let out certain issues. Being more free-spirited, unrestricted, and uninhibited are the marks of the person I want to strive towards. Letting others know me as I am.
Personally, the best gift a person can give someone is vulnerability. I desire to give my favorite gift more to others by not just telling but showing them who I am, and what I am feeling even when it is not always "pretty."
In my life, I have learned that the people I surround myself with overtime usually changes me to become more like them, so hopefully I can gain a thing or two or three or four from the children I am around :) It encourages me how God adores His children, and tells us to have child-like faith. It helps me to remember to let go of what is holding me back from running to Him like a child who needs their Father's help.
Honestly, I think we can learn a lot from kids.
Children possess the characteristics that so many of us forget about or deem as unnecessary. Yes, maybe being like a child will not win us a award for being the most professional at work, but I would trade external recognition from others for the ability to internally recognize all the sweetness all around me. I aspire in many ways to grown down instead of up. I desire to be more consumed with the possibilities of the day than the things I cannot change. I desire to be less self-aware. I desire to do things more for me when it is appropriate...like dancing by myself instead of waiting to be asked to dance. Dressing up for the heck of it. Playing in the rain because I can. Go running for the freedom of it. Creating something without any audience in mind. Wearing things that exemplify to others how I feel. Starting something instead of waiting for someone else to start it. Chasing wildly after the things I believe are worth going after.
Under any and every circumstance, I could not and would not contain my excitement when I was younger. I did not do things because they were on a to do list; instead I did things for fun. I allowed my imagination to capture my heart as well as entire self. I did not mind if what I was doing did not make sense to others. I did not worry about being misunderstood. I did things in the pursuit for a new adventure. Time was never a passing thought of mine. Schedules never existed. New findings were treasures. Treasures of mine were not meant to be held on tightly, but were always to be shared. Lightheartedness was always present in every interaction. Oh, how I loved pretending to be somewhere was I was not. Stories were the best. I was never needing to take a break because the idea of pursuing new quests were more worthwhile.
I just want to embrace the individuality instead of conformity of youthfulness. Hindrances mean nothing when young ones have a goal in mind. I yearn to refocus my own set of lenses to be more like a childlike perspective. Everything is larger, newer, and more attractive.
There is no masking involved unless you mean costume masks. Every person around a child usually can understand within seconds how that child is doing. There is never a time or a place to let out certain issues. Being more free-spirited, unrestricted, and uninhibited are the marks of the person I want to strive towards. Letting others know me as I am.
Personally, the best gift a person can give someone is vulnerability. I desire to give my favorite gift more to others by not just telling but showing them who I am, and what I am feeling even when it is not always "pretty."
In my life, I have learned that the people I surround myself with overtime usually changes me to become more like them, so hopefully I can gain a thing or two or three or four from the children I am around :) It encourages me how God adores His children, and tells us to have child-like faith. It helps me to remember to let go of what is holding me back from running to Him like a child who needs their Father's help.