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Like a Kid – I Need a Nap!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Administrator

I remember the begging, the stalling and the tears that were triggered every time my Mom said ”It’s time for bed” when I was a kid. The thought of sleeping through all the exciting things that must happen after 9pm was, well, unthinkable. In fact, I would sneak down the hall to peer through the partially closed door to watch TV with my parents and listen in on their adult conversations.

And nap time? That was an even bigger fight. It was the middle of the day and I didn’t want to miss a thing. My Grandmother, who watched me while Mom was at work, was adamant about the daily hour of rest. Looking back, I realize she needed the break more than me.

These days I can’t wait to climb into bed. Every afternoon, the lure of fluffy pillows and cozy blankets call, “come and lay your weary head.” A busy schedule filled with adult responsibilities makes me long for the respite that only sleep can bring. But, when I do give in to the call, it’s with guilt and a sense of shame.

I didn’t appreciate the daily nap when I was a kid. Now I know what a luxury sleep can be. Eureopeans understand this. In fact, businesses actually close down for several hours each afternoon to allow time for lunch and then a siesta. I’m thinking of moving just for this reason alone.

We Americans are always striving to have more and be better but sometimes just laying the hell down can bring clarity that no amount of work ever could. If there’s no way to take a nap in the afternoon, how about just leaving the office for an hour at lunch time? Most people I know don’t even take a lunch anymore. It’s no wonder stress and related diseases are on the rise. I think we should all listen to my Grandma. She was right. It’s nap time.

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Like a Kid – I Heart You

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Administrator

Valentines Day is a much maligned holiday. For a day that’s supposed to be all about love, there sure is a lot of anger and disappointment associated with it. But, as with most things, it was different as a kid.

I can remember the excitement I felt as I made Valentines for my classmates, family and friends. I spent hours creating masterpieces made of lace doilies and construction paper for those I loved. I wasn’t focused on whether or not I had one special someone but, rather, on spreading the love to all those I loved via pretty cards. And then there was the cake – or cupcakes – or cookies shaped like hearts and decorated so beautifully that I almost didn’t want to eat them.

It was simple then and, actually, it still is. Valentines Day is about love and love is not about what you get but what you give. When I set aside my expections for a dozen red roses, dinner at an expensive restaurant and diamonds and focus on the giving of love everthing looks like it did all those years ago. There are still Valentine cards to be made and cookies to be baked. Most of all, there’s still love in my heart ready to be given away.

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Like a Kid – Let’s play!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Administrator

Kids lives are filled with play. From school recess to afternoons at the park and playdates, we build in time for them to revel in pure enjoyment. But when’s the last time you set up a playdate for yourself?

When I ask this question, I’m not talking about having dinner with friends or watching television, which is the only time most adults take a break. I’m talking about doing something with no purpose other than to feel that sense of exhilaration that only comes from pure play.

I’ve noticed that most of my free time is spent on obligations and joyless activities. I’ve actually caught myself sitting in front of the tv watching a show I didn’t like simply because it never occurred to me to go play. So I’ve made a list of fun things to do that have no purpose other than fun. Here they are: Ride a bike, do a puzzle, skip through the park, fly high on the swings, splash through puddles on a rainy day, dance, color, tell ghost stories, build a house of Lego’s, hula hoop till I can’t shake it anymore!

I’m sure there’s a million other ways to play, this is just my current to-do list. In fact, I think this is the best to-do list I’ve ever written. There’s a whole world of fun to explore so let’s do it together! Please tell us about your next playdate at:

http://whattheworldneeds.org/tell-us-your-story

and don’t be surprised if your kids want to join in the fun!

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Like a Kid – Do you believe?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Administrator

Most children find it easy to believe in magic, I think because they WANT to. Santa, the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny – these are our first introductions into the magic of suspended reality. And they’re damn fun. Who doesn’t like waking up in the morning to chocolate treats left behind by a benevolent bunny?

So what happens on our way to adulthood? Is it our first discovery that we believe in something or someone that doesn’t exist – like Santa – that begins our descent into being a non-believer?

As we get older the disappointments get harder to recover from. If we’re not careful, our first heartbreak can cause us to turn our backs on romance and, ultimately, true love. Each disappoint is like a nail in the coffin of magic. After all, dissapointment sucks! And it takes a lot of courage to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and believe all over again.

The spirit of all belief starts with an open heart. Sometimes, after a particularly grueling experience, I’ve had to pry my heart open with a crow bar. But, if you want to experience pure joy like a child, you have to be willing to quiet your rational mind long enough to let the magic in.

In life I seek to be seasoned by my experiences, even the disappointing ones, rather than hardened by them. Hardening my heart closes the door to any possiblity of magic. Seasoning makes me wise, and still open to what magic that might lie over the next horizon. Like the Garth Brook’s song says “I could have missed the pain…” but I sure as hell don’t want to miss the dance!

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Like a Kid in a Candy Store

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Administrator

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “Like a kid in a candy store.” In fact, we’ve probably all experienced a child’s gleeful anticipation of the wonderful flavors that await them as they walk throught the door of a sweets shop. And they’ll taste every last one of those flavors if you let them! They aren’t hesitant and will tell you flat out if they don’t like something; usually by spitting it out, before quickly move onto something they do like. Except for the spitting part, that’s how I want to live my life.

There are so many flavors of people, places and things to do, see, learn and be. I want to try them all, without fear. The only thing stopping me is…ME! As we grow older, we’re supposed to grow wiser. Life experience is considered a good thing. But it can also be a detriment, if we let those life experiences keep us from living today to the fullest.

I think it all comes down to being in the moment, which kids do better than anyone else. They don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They focus soley on what’s in front of them. They are fully present and, therefore, enjoy every minute of it, whatever “it” is!

So I think I’ll a take a lesson from the kids in my life and focus on the here and now. I’m willing to bet I’ll happier because of it.

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