Right now we all face so much uncertainty and we are all living with so much anxiety. This current pandemic leaves us all feeling afraid and stressed in different ways. Lockdown leaves people feeling so isolated, and at times stuck and frustrated. Yet when a five-year-old talks about her days – these are some examples of the kind of things she says.
• We climbed up the mountain today on our walk mummy.
• It’s great that it’s raining – we might see a rainbow.
• My favourite part of today was playing hot potato on the trampoline!
• I love the rain – lets jump in the puddles.
• We walked through the jungle hiding rocks and searching for more rocks today.
• I camped in a tent in our garden – did you know I was really on holiday mummy?
• We made a campfire and sat by it – it was the best.
• My room is full of unciorns now – it is really magical.
• Don’t delete any photos – you always look beautiful mummy.
• It’s really good that we have a dog – we can walk every day
• Let’s collect all the white feathers – they are the people that have died. We should keep them safe.
Before the world teaches us about pain. Before life tells us how to be or how we ‘should’ be. Before we learn about being ‘good enough’. Before perfectionism creeps in. Before insecurities develop. Before embarrassment kicks in. Before self-esteem is damaged. Before confidence is knocked. Before worries develop. Before pressure increases. Before body image becomes so important. Before the number on the scales or clothes size matters. Before we think we don’t look right. Before we are super critical. Before we are hurt. Before we are full of self doubt. Before our hearts are broken. Before we learn that you can’t always trust. Before money and possessions matter. Before…..
Strip it all back. Watch a young child engage with the world. And you will remember – the beauty of life through a child’s eyes.
• A world where daisies are so beautiful they are worth stopping for.
• A world where its great when it rains because you can jump in puddles and look out for a rainbow.
• A world where magic really exists.
• A world where the sun or moon is noticed every day.
• A world where everyone looks beautiful – no matter what.
• A world where everything feels simple.
• A world where you eat what you like and when you feel like it.
• A world where you speak your mind and don’t worry.
• A world where you don’t apologise for who you are.
• A world where it’s ok to focus on the things that make you happy.
• A world where play is the most important thing.
• A world where you express love freely and shout it from the rooftops.
• A world where you embrace fun and laughter.
• A world where you always have time – where this is no rushing.
• A world where you are keen to learn and absorb.
• A world where you simply need love and security.
• A world where you don’t mind what size your home or car is.
• A world where money doesn’t matter.
• A world where you appreciate the small things in life.
• A world where memories are created all the time.
• A world where it’s ok to say if you don’t like something.
• A world where it’s ok to say when you have had enough.
• A world where it’s ok to say no sometimes.
• A world where it’s ok to sleep when your tired.
• A world where being you is simply enough.
The next time you get caught up in all the stress that is currently in your life. Where you start to feel yourself getting run down and exhausted with all the current pressure. Take a moment – read this list and remember how simple life could truly be. If we all saw it through a child’s eyes. If we all took a moment to truly look around and notice some of the beauty in the world that surrounds us. Imagine how different we would all feel.
This all links in to being mindful. Being present in the moment. To actually appreciating and taking things truly in in. It isn’t always possible to do this all day every day – but whenever you can slow down. Make time for the daisies. See the good in the world. Appreciate the positives. It’s so hard at times to do this right now. Everything feels so difficult and overwhelming at times. But if we can all take some time to appreciate all that we have and all that we can see. To learn to value who we really are. And laugh. Yes to make some space and room for laughter. Its ok – it really is. Find that part of you – embrace it and let it breathe. You will feel so much better.
