Who I Am Through the Eyes of a Child

Who I Am Through A Child's Eyes

Who I Am

Society trains us all to be pigeon holed. Who I Am need not be this type of person but we tend to definitively put ourselves into a box when asked. You must be this you must be that so that you can identify yourself. Fine that we can carve out a spot in life but what have you missed?

Yet, through the eyes of a child, that innocent wide-eyed growing alien that we lose along the way to adulthood, lives life to the fullest. If becoming adult means mind death, then I don’t want to grow up – ever! It’s the Peter Pan life for me.

Why do we allow ourselves to be hemmed in by a box? After all, each time you see a box, it’s always from the outside – why climb in and hide? You think it is safety but you are trapped! Even huge boxes like shipping containers that hold everything your life has, are still first viewed from the outside…just ask that child.

One fine spring day not too long ago…

Through the Eyes of a Child

Overhead was the crystal clear blue sky I have not seen in years, literally. Spring has arrived, surely. It’s so warm too. I held out my hand and a dove actually flew down to pick up a crumb. She’s so sweet and unafraid.

As one foot splashed that cold melting ice running down the road, another splashed ahead of it. One, two, three birthdays already and growing up!

Hey, this is fun. Pure water is so cold but perfectly crystal clear. That’s so different from all that murky, muddy flows in the creek over to the right. Or was that left? Oh, ok, the right. I got confused for a while. Hah! Mum, Grandma and whoever else will scream at all that watery mess I’m making.

Well, what do you know? Water does penetrate shoes and get jeans soaking wet in no time. Ice falls off or can be swept away.

Hey, when I step on a rock that’s under water, bubbles come out on the opposite side. All that trapped air from under there has to come out.

Grass fields are not flat at all. That football field is actually a couple of feet low in the middle. There is this guy right in the middle of it. He broke through the ice and his knees are under the ice.

Another lesson is when the air temperature is warm the icy water is still cold, very cold. Just ask that half frozen man in the middle.

I see everyone staying off the ice even though it is not dangerous. They now walk all the way around that shallow pond. They fear falling in. But don’t they realize they won’t drown? Besides, why trudge through all that mud around it?

Alright, I’ll show them. I’m sure I won’t fall through that ice.

Gingerly at first, I stepped on the ice at the edge. My feet are not very strong and I can’t stride like the big people can. I can hear the ice crackle. Instead of stepping on the ice, I sort of slide my way across it. Some ladies yelled at me, “You’ll get wet and hurt yourself!” Slide, slide, slide and before the dumbfounded audience realized it, I made it across.

Hah, still high and dry. I smiled as I wondered how I knew that would work. Was it the power of the universe? Hmm, must have been the almighty granting my wish. I’d never have known if I hadn’t tried.

On reaching home, that Cheshire cat grin simply made everyone wonder what mischief had I got into. Little do they know, I’ve just found a huge missing part of who I Am.

Grew Up or Grew Old?

Alright folks, no one calls the psychiatric ward. It’s just me recalling my childhood ways in the present.

Tell me truthfully now, how many of you would have missed all that the “child” saw and experienced?

You see, being “all grown up” I have lost all that wonder life had been for me. That sense of adventure, the love for trying everything, that spontaneity. Where is my wide eyed awe for everything? What am I really missing in everyday life?

In being a child, experiencing life and everything from a child’s perspective gave me such power. I did everything, tried everything and learned everything. I grew exponentially. Never underestimate a child’s ability for self-growth.

What happened when I “grew up”? Or was it because I “grew old”? Well, it’s time I did things through the eyes of a child.

Don’t mind me. It’s just me growing up all over again.