"A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood. " ~ Rachel Carson
Children can teach adults a lot about celebrating life. How to live in the moment, how to discover and delight in simple things.
"The child is a natural investigator," observed writer Margaret McIntyre. "Testing... fumbling and endless repeating."
Children can teach adults how to look at life with wonder and spontaneity. "Wisdom begins in wonder," said ancient philosopher Socrates.
Ever watch how children act on an inner impulse? If they feel like doing something, they do it. If they want to run around in circles or dance or sing... they do. No inhibitions, no judgments. Just the sheer exuberance of living in the moment.
"The essence of pleasure is spontaneity," observed Australian writer Germaine Greer.
Give yourself permission to be spontaneous. "Be open to experience," urged self-actualization guru Abraham Maslow. Be open to the unexpected. Imagine something and make it happen. Take delight in the patterns, colors, and simplicity of life.
"Wherever life takes us, there are always moments of wonder," said former President Jimmy Carter.
Just look around.