LikeWhat would happen if you loved like a child?
The other day I received a touching email from my sister about “What love means to age 4-8 year old children”.
A group of professionals asked kids “What does love mean?” It really moved me to read some of the responses; things like:
‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’ Rebecca – age 8
‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’ Billy – age 4
‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’ Terri – age 4
‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.’ Bobby – age 7
‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.’ Nikka – age 6
‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’ Tommy – age 6
‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Cindy – age 8
‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ Karen – age 7
‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot People forget.’ Jessica – age 8
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Wow, I truly marvelled at what these kids came out with. What wisdom. What insight. What pure trust and belief in the world, themselves and what is around them!
They thought about what it meant, and then they expressed what they felt and saw from the heart.
This brings to me the thought. What would happen if you loved like a child?
I invite you, right now, to go lie down in some grass (or somewhere else of your choosing), squelch your toes, stretch, close your eyes, and deeply inhale that question.
Truly envision that question enveloping your whole being. Then let your definition float away, open your arms wide to your sides, and allow the peace and wisdom you have discovered to wash over you.
What does your future life look like when you surrender to the love of life, as envisioned by your inner child?
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Desiderata
When I was born, my beautiful Mum put together my “baby book” and every now and then I get it out of the closet, dust it off and spend a fun hour going through it! 
Right at the front she included the Desiderata; amazing words of wisdom…
~ Desiderata ~
by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here. And whether or not that it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.
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A big hug and thank you to my Mum for sharing words of wisdom and nurturing and guiding me to be the person I am today. I love you heaps
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