When
we were children we were free. We lived in the moment, focusing on
just being a child. If you are in my generation or older, then you
probably were never bored. This seems to be a new phenomenon among
our youth in the last twenty years or so. No, when I was young I was
never bored. I played outside, with or without toys, with or without
friends. Whatever I was doing was all that mattered at the time.
As
we get older we lose that feeling of freedom to be only in the
moment. We become slaves to our wondering mind, often thinking about
the past or the future, and not really living in the moment. We
become absent in our own lives. The body breathes, walks, performs
actions, but the mind is somewhere else. When we consciously bring
our attention to the present moment, we become like little children
again. We enjoy our life with more vigor. We begin to be present in
our own life.
When
you are free like a child you naturally express your innate
creativity and wonder. Children use their imaginations, opening
their world to endless possibilities. They are naturally
inquisitive, creative, playful, and willing to explore their world.
It's time to live like a child again. When you become present you
will pay more attention to your surroundings. You will notice the
flowers as you walk into the bank, you will notice the stars at night
and maybe take time to watch the sunset. You will have more time to
pursue creative activities and more time to play. How can you have
more time? Remember how long summer vacations used to seem when you
were young? The more present you are the slower time seems to flow.
When you aren't stuck inside your head and are actually present, time
seems to expand.
Practice
being present and you will begin to awaken the little child inside of
you. Everything will become more fun. Your inner child will want to
play because children love to play. They enjoy being outside in
nature, looking at clouds, even playing in the rain! Your inner
child might want to try new things, play games, redecorate a room, or
make the food on the dinner plate look pretty. Be present and you
will feel an urge to express new wonder, playfulness, and creativity.
Lesson :
Reconnecting
with your inner child makes life more fun and expands time.
Exercise:
Practice
bringing child like awareness into something that you normally do
without awareness. It could be as simple as taking a walk.. If you
normally are caught up in thoughts while walking, switch your
awareness to your surroundings. Take a new route. Make a game out of
it. How many animals can you see along the way? How many distinct
sounds are around you? Does one street smell different than another
street? If you were blind folded would you be able to know which
street you were on?
Or
maybe awaken your inner child while making dinner. Instead of being
caught up in thoughts about the past or future, pay attention to what
you are doing. Make a new recipe, or use your creativity in
presentation and table setting design. Practice feeling the textures
of the different foods as you prepare them. Take a moment to smell
them. Be present and the experience will be totally different than
mindlessly making dinner while listening to TV.
Practice
reconnecting with your inner child and life will be fuller and more
fun.
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