The other day, I took advantage of the light (work) morning, to have lunch with my kiddos at their school. This is something I use to do more often, but with my schedule this year, this was my first opportunity this year.
And if you can believe it, it was a pretty #magical experience. #everydaymagic
I have been “lunching” with my kids at school for about four years now and normally I would have had 1 or 2 toddlers in tow, it always felt very distracted and chaotic. But this time was different, with my three old was in school, so I was able to go by myself. It was great, I had the ability to observe and interact with the other kids at the table more.
Som there they sat, on those long school lunchroom benches with their messy hair, missing teeth, wearing smudgy clothes, having stuff on their face and full of joy.
Utterly joyful, open and authentic.
There they sat, unabashedly themselves, unguarded and shiny.
My kids are in 1st and 3rd grade, and mostly still too young, they were still open to life, each other and experiences.
And it occurred to me, “This is the way we are supposed to be.”
Oh, and watching them, I understood the meaning of the phrase, being present. They were living in the moment. They were happy, silly and appreciative for the 30minutes they had there with their friends, away from the classroom, eating soggy sandwiches and squeezy yogurts.
It was pretty awesome.
And the energy was infectious, I felt lighter and more joyful.
As human beings, we are born with an enormous capacity for love and compassion. Sure, kids can be mean and hurtful at times, but they have an easier time accessing their well of love and compassion, because they have a few layers of mud to scrap off to get to the good stuff.
As I was sitting there at my son’s 3rd-grade table, a little girl across from us and a few seats over, all the sudden put her head down on her arm. And as if by reflex, the little girl next to her (in front of us), without even looking scooted over and put her arm around the girl and gave her a little squeeze. She didn’t say a word or even linger. She soon removed her arm and just sat there, slightly closer, open and willing. Just there. It was another moment of #everyday magic.
It was an act of pure kindness and love. It was also an act of courage and vulnerability. This act is something we don’t usually witness among adults, because this act of comfort and kindness is one that only comes when we allow ourselves to be open to interpreting others’ needs and react in a way that feels authentic. It’s easier to be vulnerable before being vulnerable becomes a bad thing.
Kids are funny. They are pure, curious, loving, compassionate, authentic and open. Kids are happy and joyful and kind.
Kids can be great teachers. We as adults spend so much time and energy, expecting, wanting and planning while children spend time being and experiencing. And as a result, they experience more joy more often. We as adults can learn from that.
Ok, I know, we, as adults, have responsibilities, experiences and expectations that children don’t have. But that doesn’t mean as adults we can’t be more childlike, present and mindful and experience more joy in everyday life.
As an adult, I sometimes feel like time is flying by, and I remember as a kid, sometimes thinking that time was “taking forever.” Well now, i believe this is because kids have the ability to slow down and appreciate the moments and being fully present, instead of worrying about taking creating the future or grieving over the past.
So be more childlike. Experience the moments in your life with an unbridled sense of silliness, fun, and joy.
Me thinks this may just be the thing.
The way to happiness and the key to fully enjoy the gifts in our life.
Anyway, just some thoughts when I was eating the lunchroom one day.
XO,
