As I watch children around me be themselves, I can’t help but feel in awe of their simplicity. Their innocence is captivating, how they approach life and people around them. They are welcoming of others and do not hide behind masks, they say what they think without a filter and it is so refreshing.
Thinking back on my childhood years I remember that there really was no real differences between myself and others. We all shared the same needs of wanting to be loved and accepted for who we were. Some of us were lucky enough to have parents that were able to show them a proper example of what relationships should be and others had to make it up as they moved forward in life.
I look back at my childhood and I can’t help but remember that I truly did not notice differences within cultural or ethnic differences of others and myself. I treated all people as an individual. I had friends who were Aboriginal and southeast Asian as well as other nationalities. These exterior traits were irrelevant as to the person that was behind the outward differences. At the end of the day, we are all different however we come in different shades and textures and that is what makes our interactions wonderful.
To think that you can only interact with like minded individuals hinders your growth and limits your potential for advancement in life. We have to look at all people as a learning experience and they have something to add to your life. Nothing happens for no reason, we just have to take the time and evaluate why these events happened to you as they have something to teach you about yourself.
We should keep an open mind and live life as an experience and like every day is a gift. With this mindset, it will allow you to grow and find the beauty in life and the precious gift that it truly is. Do not end up at the end of your life thinking of what would it have been like if I had only tried this or that. They guilt will eat you up and leave you a shell of yourself and living in regret. Regrets are for those who are afraid to live life as true to their wants.
Try to think back on your youth and watch children around you and they will be the window of what is missing in your life. I witnessed a young boy of about 8 years of age run into a girl at Costco and he just went up to her and hugged her because that is what he felt like doing and she received the hug in the joyous childhood innocence. Isn’t that really a truly beautiful thought as to how we should strive to be more authentic to our inner child rather than hiding behind a mask that keeps everyone away from actually wanting to engulf you in a big embrace?
Joanne Robinson
