Yesterday, our little girl who is 21 months old went to look through the glass doors of our living room. She was mumbling something with some “Ahhh’s” and some other toddler words we can’t decipher. She stood there looking at all the falling leaves and bright colors. My husband and I just stared at her sweet reaction as she held on to some toys while her face touched the glass. Matt then said something so profound that I made him repeat it several times so I could write it down, “A window to a little kid must be like a magical force field.”
The world to us is a giant window. It’s how we look and how we perceive that creates our reality. Some see the glass half empty. Others see the glass half full. The reality is that the glass has whatever we perceive it has in it. In your state of wonder, you get to envision whatever you want to create from that perception.
How does a child perceive the world? How does she analyze everything revolving her? She doesn’t think in large analytical terms. She lives in the now. The magical force field is constantly happening around her. The television she watches is magical. The dog is magical. The spoon making engine noises coming to her mouth with food is magical. Mommy’s and daddy’s kisses are magical. Mommy can kiss a booboo and the pain disappears. Daddy can hold her on his shoulders and she’s flying. A song on a lap becomes a giant playground. The world is seen through fresh eyes. When do we lose this? When do we stop seeing the magic in everything? Why? Why do you think we stop…? Because others have told us that we need to grow up as if growing up was something fun. NOT! No more tutus or wands…no more Star Wars toys…no more anything that can enlighten us with child play. Adulthood has too many rules and we forget to entertain the little girl or boy in our spirits.
I want you to do yourself a favor today. I want you to return to your childlike qualities for 5 minutes or however long you can stay there. Get a stick and dig in the soil. Get dirty. Jump on a puddle. Sing out loud in front of a mirror while holding a brush to your mouth. Jump on a bed. Talk to a stranger and make them laugh with silly gestures. Get yourself back to whatever you need to return in order to see the magical force field around you. It is in that place that you will find the Divine smiling. Create! Play! Laugh! And most of all don’t ever forget the desires of the kid in you. It’s that child that came into this world believing. It’s that kid that didn’t question the mystical and enchanting forces around him/her. Return to her/him with gratitude and you will once again see the magic of all that’s around you. How you view the world determines how well you live it. BE a child in a state of wonder and you will see the magic in others. Live in gratitude…see the world through the eyes of a child. It’s mesmerizing. I promise your Spirit will thank you with an openness to love and joy. In some wise words: May the force be with you…always!
About the Author:
After raising six children, working in the corporate world, and being part of a relationship for eighteen years, I found that happiness was not consistent in my world. I left the business world, ended a relationship that was deteriorating and headed to the mountains. My best friend and I bought a small motel in the middle of gorgeous country and began the greatest journey. What started as a visit to Asheville in May of 2010 became a permanent home for us. Now with only one teenager at home, I am able to be part of a wonderful world of meeting people from all walks of life. We’ve transformed an old gem of a place into a sweet and quaint oasis for others to find peace. To those looking into our lives it seems we saved Peaceful Quest Retreats, but the reality is that this place saved us. Every day brings joy, inspiration and a zest for life I never knew existed. The lessons have not always been easy but the ride has been scenic and delightful. I can’t imagine ever returning to a life that was not authentic to my spirit. ~ Millie A. Mestril
Please feel free to visit our website at www.peacefulquestretreats.com. I also have a personal blog at www.momentswithmillie.me.
Image from: http://www.thelaurelcenter.org
