Always, I cherish and value the vitality of laughter, dance, and play.
It is how we stay young, persevere through dark times;
love bigger and make the world a bit better than when we arrived.
One of the greatest gifts our children offer is opportunity to dance through life with more grace and fluidity; opportunity to lighten life's storms and bring ease to its waters; to be more child-'like,' and less child-'ish' is the answer to the Universe. Our children are here to teach us.
Our children keep us young; they remind us to be silly, to laugh often, and to not take life too seriously. Admonishing and inspiring wonder; we are offered a world of a different color, should we choose to accept, through the looking glass of a child. 'Play' is their common language; curiosity and creativity their currency.
A simple, practical expression of this infusion is driver mentality/behavior. How we act, and react, when behind the wheel, behind the 'closed doors' of our vehicle is indicative of wonder, curiosity, empathy, and ultimately love; or lacking there of.
When a driver cuts us off, or is driving slow, etc., we have the crucial choice in how we react. Do we see that fellow driver, that fellow human, as an elderly woman grown weary and cautious after a lifetime of struggle; a teenager wrought with depression and trauma; a husband in the midst of familial turmoil within the walls of his own home; a woman who just put her beloved feline companion to rest; a mother who just lost her child.
Or, are we quick to anger and even rage; bypassing the facts and possibilities this other driver, this other human is facing struggles today we could only imagine; struggles we can imagine, because we are humans too.
Play, curiosity, wonder ... these are the perspectives of empathy.
And our children are here to teach us.
So, practice play, I say. Practice silly, and child-likeness. Take the mundanes of life less seriously; allow more attention to that inner child within us all.
Challenge perceived societal boundaries and limitations.
Be brave and make someone laugh.
Blow bubbles.
Make art.
Wear a tutu.
Get messy.
Sing, dance,
and be silly.
Have more fun ...
Because, why not? We're here as humans to suffer together; it is how we learn and grow and strengthen our souls. Might as well sprinkle a little glitter on top.
Had I to do it again, I would have had a lighter heart and more carefree parenting perspective in rearing Sawyer. With less rigidity and a more playful spirit.
It is in surviving his death, I have gained
profound perspective on how to better life at large in this way.
And, for that, I am forever grateful, son.
Do better, and 'play' more next time. Let the lines and angles of our world become more fluid; more malleable. Blow more bubbles, think less, and laugh more.
Walk through life in wonder; because life is, indeed, wonderful.
If we allow it to be so ...
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