There are some very special children in my life! I adore these beautiful kids as if they were my own. Soon enough I will have my own beauties to watch with wonderment… Have you noticed just how curious children are? Dogs too! I don’t think they take anything for granted or play the shoulda, woulda game. A game I am all too familiar with! Which lets be honest, is just a waste of time. This leads me to the message I’d like to share in this blog. For all of you AND for me to
hear.
So my amazing niece and nephew (twins) just recently turned two. They had a very fun birthday party at a local park. Nothing extravagant, just their friends, food, cake and goodies. Watching them experience something so simple as opening their presents, blowing out their candles, even playing on the playground with such VIGOR made me stop and think… To evaluate.
How often do I take a step back and TRULY enjoy The Little Things? The small gifts in life?
The answer I’d like to give you is: all the time. But I’m not so sure that is the case. Yes, I always stop to smell the roses – one of my favorite things to do on walks. But am I appreciating the smaller gifts the universe gives me? Us? To be honest with you, my answer is not as often as I’d like. I did however get back on the monkey bars at the playground while my niece and nephew continued to down cake. Let me tell you, it was scary at first. I climbed up, sat on the bar as I remembered as a child and then it was time to flip backwards! What??!! Are you freakin kidding me?
That’s what my head was saying. My heart, the 10-year-old was saying “Hell ya! I remember this!! How come its taken you so long to get back on this bars?? Just flip backwards. It’s not scary!! It’s fun!!” And so my heart won.
Yes, I was terrified to flip backwards. I didn’t even know if I’d land on my feet or break my back?! But I did it.. I landed. ON MY FEET! And then I climbed up again and again. It’s was so fun. It made me FEEL GOOD. It brought back a rush of excitement that I had placed in a box and completely forgotten about… I called over my husband and my mom to watch me, like I was 10 again 🙂 Haha. You can view my triumph here:
My goal is to get back to that free-spirited curiosity and joy I had as a child. My imagination was out of this world! As I’ve gotten older my head tends to work on overtime…analyzing EVERYTHING! I’m a Virgo, and that is a Virgo trait but I don’t have to let it run my life.
So, lets do something every day that scares us! Lets allow our imaginations to run wild because visualizing is so powerful! I found this amazing article about how many elite athletes routinely use visualization techniques as part of training and competition. Its extremely interesting.
Look at all these kids… Look at their curiosity… I found these pictures and had to share. Lets learn from these kiddies. From the ones that surround our own worlds.
I really felt free on the monkey bars and I’m committed to feeling that way more often… What will you do today that scares you? Moves your heart and soul?
*Obviously when I say do something that scares you, I mean nothing harmful to yourself or others*
Be well friends! Have a lovely day! Please share your stories with me. I’d love to hear them!
Amy
“So, lets do something every day that scares us! Lets allow our imaginations to run wild because visualizing is so powerful!” <– Love that!
I think I forgot about living with this new job that I have. And your story has been my monkey bars tonight. I think I'll go to that football game tomorrow.
What a great short story, you should write a childrens book. I admire your talent so very much. I have followed your career since 8 simple rules. I cried when I heard about John Ritter. I felt like he was part of our family. In fact he was the best part of my family since my family life wasn’t too happy. Now I follow you and Kaley like you were my daughters…I’m 48. keep learning and exploring. I am @rwilliams8778 on twitter if you want to follow me.
Love the story. I think its important to step back sometimes to enjoy the little things! And how wonderful is the sweet innocence of children! I want to share a story about my father when he was a kid. His mom sent him to the local market to pick up milk. She gave him the money, but when he got there he decided to buy a chocolate bar to eat! He spent all the money, so on the way home he took a stick and poked a hole in his pants pocket. My grandmother asked him what happen, he said the money fell out through the hole and he lost it! A minute later she came back with a mirror and held it to my fathers face and he had chocolate all over! Needless to say he got a licking! Fun memories!
Hello Amy!
Your description here is great! That wonderful feeling when enjoying ourselves, that all those little fears and doubts e develop over time, make themselves evident in our thoughts and actions. If you’re fortunate enough to have had a happy childhood, never let that disappear. Live life to its fullest, all the time. Cherish and nurture that suppleness, it makes you the wonderful person you are. It’s an excellent piece, you’ve written here.
Amy. love the blog. I had a bad health after I lost my job scar 2 years ago and had about 10% chance, but I pulled through and now I try to live every day, moment to the fullest and not sweat the small stuff. I hope you all do the same. I was always told no matter how bad you think things are now, somewhere, someone is worse off. I have anew job now and getting back on track. keep hanging in there and you will get through what you have to get through.