Kids live in a permanent state of happiness and amazement. The famous author Florence Scovel Shinn used to say in one of her books that “children have only happy expectances until grown-ups and unhappy experiences lead them out of wonderland.“
As they grow up, kids are politely invited to step into a world with less and less magic in it.
Grown-ups show them how the real world looks and works like, even before adulthood and responsibilities kick in. They teach them that not everything is possible, that playing is a waste of time, and that we need to move fast to accomplish a certain standard in life.
When, instead, we should be the ones to learn from the mini-versions of us.
No doubt this comes from a place of good intentions and necessity. However, I think magic is exactly what we seek and strive so much to recreate day after day during adulthood. How about we never lose it in the first place?
Children have a unique perspective on life and a certain rhythm of doing things. If we pay enough attention to observe and keep our hearts open, they can teach us effortlessly how to be more present and live more joyfully every day.
While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.
Angela Schwindt
I love this quote: “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about” (Angela Schwindt) – it pretty much sums up the whole idea of this post.
The 16 slow living lessons that motherhood has taught me so far:
- Always take time to admire your surroundings (where is that ladybug heading anyway?)
- Don’t care if you’re getting wet or dirty. Walk out in the rain, jump in ponds
- Be honest when you don’t like something, even if that makes someone uncomfortable
- Say no to people when you don’t feel like doing something
- Don’t be afraid to try new things for the first time
- Laugh heartily at silly things and moments
- Time spent with the people you love is better than anything that can be bought with money
- The most fun play is often free (and it involves rocks, sticks, water, and mud)
- Holding a grudge is useless
- Sadness goes away with a hug
- Be curious about anything, at anytime
- Ask questions until you understand
- Focus on one single task until finished
- Be immersed in the present moment
- Give spontaneous kisses and hugs and say ”I love you” often to those you love
- The most precious gift you can give to someone is your time and full attention
We, as adults, take life too seriously too often.
Worrying, anticipating, and stressing about things out of our control have become a sport to many of us. Jobs, responsibilities, bills, taking care of a house and a family, and the constant pressure to keep up with everything happening in the world have become burdens that we carry on our shoulders day after day.
With so much on our plate, we forget to stop and see how much beauty there is around us. We look far for happiness and we run our entire adult lives toward what we think happiness is, when in fact, happiness is right under the tip of our noses.
I believe children have an essential role in our lives: not only to fill our hearts and homes with love, laughter, and innocence but also to teach us many valuable insights. To remind us that life doesn’t have to be about shallow or complicated stuff, about days that drain all your energy off, pleasing others, or living by other people’s standards.
Our little ones are here to teach us that magic exists.
That our will and imagination are limitless.
That you have to take risks to evolve and learn new things.
That each day must be lived as a journey of its own.
Ultimately, that life is an adventure and it’s worth living it as such, with a big smile on your face.
Allow yourself to learn from your little ones! They are the best teachers when it comes to living in the present.
Short note for Tudor:
Thank you for teaching me to become a better human, my little love! I wish you keep this authenticity, this spark, and this tireless passion your entire life.
Love, Mom.
