Staring up at giant sky-scrapers. Riding glass elevators. Feeling absolute awe and excitement. It’s one of my earliest memories. I don’t even remember what city it was. Maybe Chicago or Atlanta. But I always remember what it felt like to be a child.
When I was a kid, I had a very big outlook on life. At 7 or 8 I would wake up in the morning and sprint full-tilt around and around our big house, dreaming of the day I would run like Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire.
I wanted to be a zoo keeper when I grew up. An airline pilot (or spacecraft maybe?). A cowboy. A baseball player. Even a WWII soldier.
What did you want? When you were a kid, what did you dream of doing one day?
And why did you stop?
Most of us, as we grew up, were pressured by people around us to “be realistic.” To let go of some of those dreams. To face the cold, hard reality of life. That we’ll probably never amount to much.
Well with that attitude, we won’t!
There are 3 things most of us grew out of as we grew up. Well, there are lots more, but 3 things we probably shouldn’t have grown out of:
Enthusiasm
Do you remember how energetic and excited you were as a kid? About simple little things like going to the playground or on a roadtrip? Do you remember how obsessive you got over little projects and hobbies? And how shamelessly you expressed your excitement, happiness, and love?
Where has our genuine enthusiasm gone?
Curiosity
Do you remember how much everything amazed you when you were little? How you couldn’t stop staring at a squirrel, wondering how and why it does what it does? How you just had to know what was hidden in that closet, just because? How you wanted to know everything? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Do you remember how open-minded you were as a kid? Open to anything?
When did this incredible world stop interesting us?
Confidence
Remember how unstoppable you were as a toddler? Fireplace, balcony, kitchen table, bicycle. It didn’t matter. And you knew if you fell of your bike, you’d pick yourself up and try again. Until you made it. Remember how intent you were on making your dreams come true? How you didn’t care that you didn’t know how to do something yet, you were determined to figure it out? Remember when you believed in yourself?
When did we decide it’s bad to hope and expect great things of ourselves, others, and this incredible world?
Reconnect With Your Inner Child
I miss being a kid. I miss the feeling of awe and excitement in a big, awesome world. I miss the enthusiasm. I miss the curiosity. And I miss the confidence. And goodness knows we could all use a boost of each!
Imagine the power and productivity, the excitement and energy you’d feel if you brought childlike enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence to your life and work!
The past couple of years I’ve been getting back in touch with my inner child. It’s been awesome! “Growing up” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
What do you think?
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