If you have ever spent some time with 7-year-olds, you probably know a few things. One of those being that they have a whole lot of energy, but you probably also realized that they smile a lot and make you smile a lot too. This past week, I got to spend a lot of time with some nose pickin', tag playin', and insanely creative kiddos. Their hearts for others were sweet. Their love for all things games, crafts, and snacks led me to realize I can relate to them a lot. Here are some things that I was reminded of this week.

1. Spending time playing is not time wasted.

Typically, when I am just hanging out, my first instinct is to turn on the nearest Netflix show or whip out my phone to be on social media. However, this past week reminded me to get out a notebook and start drawing or writing. Maybe it is even a good idea get outside for a second. This is not wasted time at all.

2. It's ok to be a little messy.

We live in a world that is all about the best Insta aesthetic and how many likes our pictures can get. I think that we forget that it IS alright to let things be colorful, bright, and crazy. Life does not fit in perfect little squares. When you are 7 you are willing to scribble all over the page. Your aesthetic as a child is how much of a mess you can make with the paint during the craft time. Be a little messy, have some fun with the colors, it is not about having the neatest life. You can have fun in the process.

3. Singing loud is the only way to sing.

It turns out kids like to be loud. Are you shocked? Probably not. But as we grow up we tend to silence our voices. The world teaches us to be quiet rather than stand up and belt out our favorite lyrics.

4. Dance parties must be part of your daily routine.

Never doubt the joy and laughter that a dance party could bring. Kids don't care about how crazy they look and it is sweet to see people coming out of their shells to bust a solid dance move.

5.Don't sweat the small stuff.

If you fall down, you really just have to get back up because there is another adventure just around the corner. If you scrape your knee, you WILL survive. Just keep on moving forward.

6. Care for others more than yourself.

This week, I saw things a little differently. I think that society typically labels kids as selfish and so dependent on those around them. However, it turns out, that is not so true after all. Kids actually love making new friends. They enjoy time spent with their favorite people and they want to help them out and see their friends succeed.

When you hang out with kids for a few days, it is so fun to see the world through their eyes. Think back to how you saw things when you were little. It seemed like anything was possible. Don’t lose that mentality. Life is short, live like you are 7 forever. It really can't hurt.