When I was a child, I was wandering a sandy beach with my father in Santa Monica, California. I distinctly remember feeling the icy chill of the water wrap around my ankles, contrast with the sun-kissed warmth of the sand. I was having so much fun playing around, but I did notice that my dad was acting too serious to enjoy himself...After jumping in the waves, I ran back over to my father, looked up at him and said, "Just be a kid again." And so he did. From that moment on, that line was never forgotten.
At that moment on the beach, I didn't understand how powerful my words had been. They were so memorable to my father that he still remembers them to this day. He often reminds me of what I said, especially when I am acting too serious for a 20-year-old. I will never stop appreciating his reminders.
It is way too common for older people in this world to become all-too serious about life. Yes, work, money, healthcare, bills and all that other good stuff is extremely important, but what about everything else? What about everything we have loved since we were kids?
Acting like a kid again doesn't mean that you have to go play t-ball in the backyard. It means living life without a worry in sight and doing what makes you happy. It means apologizing the moment you know that you caused another person pain and maybe eating too many Froot Loops every once in a while. Being a kid is about loving life and everything it has to offer.
In our modern world, we often forget the main concept of life, which is to live--and by that I mean, to live in the moment. We get so caught up with all of the items on our to-do lists that we end up paying minimal attention to the things that make us the happiest in life. When was the last time you wandered a beach with your dad? Or played in the sandbox with your kids?
Musician Kevin Welch wrote in a song, "There'll be two dates on your tombstone and all your friends will read 'em, but all that's gonna matter is that little dash between them." How much of that dash do you want to spend stressing over the little things in life? There is so much, so many small and large aspects of the lives we live. Grab ahold of the people and things that bring happiness and joy and let go of the ones that cause stress and pain.
Children are ignorant to the immense darkness in the world. To them, everyone is a superhero. Just because we know about the darkness doesn't mean we have to fall victim to it. With each bit of darkness comes so much more light. Never forget to look for the joy in each night and the vitality of each day.
