Let’s get something straight right off the bat: I absolutely adore kids.
And I’m guessing you do too, right?
You’ve probably spent more hours in the company of the little tykes than I have, so they’re likely a familiar part of your everyday life.
But, if I’m honest, there’s something about their spontaneous, unpredictable nature that gives me a twinge of nervousness.
A peculiar mix of love and mild trepidation, you might say.
Now, you might be scratching your head, wondering why someone who loves children could possibly get a case of the butterflies around them.
Well, here’s the first of the lessons from children I’d like to share—they’re little bundles of unpredictability!
Seriously, trying to gauge what’s buzzing around in those young minds at any given moment is like trying to predict the British weather.
And the part that gets me the most? Their childlike curiosity, evident in the questions they ask.
At first glance, their queries seem so straightforward, so harmless—the epitome of childlike innocence.
But let me tell you, they can send you into a mental tailspin faster than you can say, “Bob’s your uncle!”
I’d find myself unravelling the mysteries of the blue sky or the abodes of ants and bees, making my explanations as simple and clear as I possibly could.
But guess what comes next? Yep, another question. And it’s usually one word…
The Unending “Why?” Cycle in Kids
At this point, I have to tip my hat to all the parents out there. You folks are true champions. Ha!
You see, children are naturally curious. They want to understand everything around them.
But their limited vocabulary and developing cognitive skills mean they can’t quite frame their questions in the way adults do.
So they default to the most effective tool they’ve got: the word “why.”
You may think you’ve given a comprehensive response, only to be faced with another “why?”
And in that moment, it’s tempting to respond with a curt “I just told you!” or “Enough with the questions!”
But here’s the thing, that’s the last thing we should be doing if we don’t want to snuff out that spark of curiosity.
Yet sadly, it’s a mistake many of us make.
Embracing Incessant Curiosity: Wisdom from Children’s Book of Life
Albert Einstein once said,
The important thing is not to stop questioning… Never lose a holy curiosity.
What could we, as adults, possibly learn from these wise words?
Well, the number one lesson is this: adopt an unquenchable curiosity, much like the little tikes we adore so much.
You see, children look at the world with a sense of wonder that we adults often lose along the way.
They question everything, their eyes wide with awe, their minds absorbing information like a dry sponge soaking up water.
Think back to your own childhood days. You were brimming with imagination and curiosity, weren’t you?
But somewhere down the line, many of us have let our curiosity slip through our fingers, replacing it with a life of monotony and conformity.
How to Reignite Your Inner Child’s Flame of Curiosity
So, how can we rekindle this lost curiosity?
It’s simple: start asking questions, just like kids do.
Step out of your comfort zone and try new activities. Engage with diverse groups of people. And most importantly, remember to have a good chuckle along the way.
Curiosity is a gateway to a treasure trove of ideas and knowledge. It keeps your mind sharp and agile, and it transforms the process of learning into a delightful adventure.
It adds that much-needed zest to life, making every day a thrilling journey of discovery.
The more curious you are, the more you grow.
You’ll gain a deeper understanding of people, and of the intricate workings of the world around you.
And here’s the kicker: The moment you stop asking questions, the moment you stop learning, is the moment you start becoming stagnant.
So let’s take a leaf out of a child’s book and reignite our insatiable curiosity!
Embracing a Grudge-Free Life: A Lesson from Childhood
William Arthur Ward rightly said,
A life lived without forgiveness is a prison.
I recall babysitting a friend’s kids a few years back.
One moment, they were at each other’s throats, squabbling and tussling over a toy. But within the blink of an eye, they were the best of friends again.
They were quick to forget their disagreements.
And there it is, the second important lesson we can learn from children: They don’t hold grudges.
Their egos and pride don’t supersede their happiness.
As we age, our egos and pride expand along with us. When someone wrongs us, our egos take a hit.
We hold onto these grudges like badges of honour, vowing never to forget the “injustice” committed against us.
Each thought about the person who wronged us makes us a little more bitter, raises our blood pressure a tad higher.
We’re engulfed by negative emotions: anger, frustration, stress, hostility.
What we often fail to realise is that our egos and pride are obstructing our path to inner peace and happiness.
We’re allowing these simmering grudges to block the light of joy from our lives.
As adults, we may not possess the ability to forget as swiftly as children do.
However, we can chase after inner peace and happiness by forgiving those who have wronged us.
We don’t forgive them because they are worthy of our forgiveness, but because we deserve to be free of these negative emotions that impact our mental health and the quality of our lives.
We deserve happiness.
Final Thoughts: Gleaning Wisdom from the World of Little Ones
Incessant curiosity and living a grudge-free life are two powerful lessons we can learn from children.
Reclaim that child-like curiosity. Place your happiness above your ego and pride by forgiving those who have wronged you.
Embrace these two lessons, and you’ll find yourself on the path to a life that’s not only happier but also healthier.
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