Keiserism of the day

Experiencing life as a child keeps us present to the moment and helps us see all of the opportunities.

Have you ever taken a child for a walk? Did you ever notice how long it takes?

As a young mother taking walks served 2 purposes, or so I thought. It would give me an opportunity to get some exercise, and give the children an activity. I soon found that it was best to keep it simple and serve one or the other. I could put them in the stroller and walk the distance and speed I wanted to, or they could walk with me, and spend an hour walking down the street. The latter usually won out.

A child sees everything, every bug, blade of grass, and crack in the sidewalk ETC.... They see it and fully experience every moment. They don't have any deadlines, bills, commitments, or appointments. As we go through life we collect these extra things, and for some the baggage is so heavy that we become incapable of experiencing anything.

I don't live in fantasy land and don't think that we as adults could possibly recreate the true feelings of childhood, but am foolish enough to think that we could all benefit from Keeping a little Peter Pan in our lives.

I recently found out that one of my best friends was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, on the same day her daughter was born. At the hospital her father was telling me (with pure joy in his face) how much he was enjoying his grandchildren. He went on to say that he was so busy (providing for his family) as a young man that he unfortunately didn't have the same experiences with his own children.

How many blades of grass, bugs, and cracks in the sidewalk do we miss out on everyday, because we are so bogged down with the extra baggage of life? How many opportunities and experiences do we miss out on due to our pre-conceived notions, or responsibilities? What are these missed opportunities costing you in your personal and professional life?

This is my long winded way of saying life is too short to take it so seriously. Before you know it, you are looking back saying "where did it all go?". If you are going to take the time to do or go somewhere, be wherever you are.