I smile when I think about children, especially around Christmas time. I remember so well trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, working hard to stay in bed, to not sneak out to see if Santa found my chimney and stocking. Now that my kiddos are teens/young adults, it changes, the innocent over the top joy is no longer expressed in such carefree wonder. I miss those times, when my children were young and when I was young.

Why? I ponder? Do we grow out of our innocent joyful exuberance? Why, do we not exude playful wonder and curiosity in our everyday life? If we did, how might our lives change? For the last couple of months, since I had some big life shifts, I have been welcoming home that childlike heart and soul. Waking up with curiosity for what the day might share with me. Open to the wonder and miracles which will dance into my world. Each day has gifted me with something to ponder, celebrate, explore, learn from, dance with…

In my house, I think the serious mature one is my fifteen year old daughter. The next in line for seriousness, although he is quite playful, is my nineteen year old son. Then there is me, willing to spontaneously do a jig, a loud ta-da, or be silly in some other way. Now, I do not want you to get the wrong impression, to run a business, write, teach and work with clients I do share a quiet, deep thinking, completely present side as well. However, of recent, I have been choosing to maintain a level of wonder and innocence as I work hard. The gift it is giving me, is an inner joyful sensation of possibility, of raw potential that I might miss if I stayed stoic and rigid. It graces me with a heart that is open and willing to roll with all that comes to be. I trust that “life is happening FOR ME” not against me. This mindset changes everything.

Now that I have lived the first fifty plus years, many of them trying to be responsible and serious, I have decided that I want to live the next fifty with a different way of being. I believe, call me crazy, that one can do both – be childlike, joyful, innocent and productively, serious, successful. Maybe this blend will make the whole journey a true adventure, full of surprises and playfulness along the way. I look around at our pomp and circumstance, our seriousness, our rigid control, and private keeping – why? What does it give one? What does it make you feel inside? What does it add to your life?

I can honestly say that after having half a year that was heavy, serious, challenging, and very experientially learning for me, I welcome in and embark on being a kid again. I get to take all I have learned with me, tucking into my pockets the thus far gained wisdom. The knowledge and awareness of what I get to do next, to create more for myself and others is written down and planned. I can take care of business and work towards goals and dreams with more success if I choose to dance with JOY, WONDER, CURIOSITY, OPENNESS, and child-like faithful innocence. I don’t know, maybe I am crazy?! We shall see what unfolds as I embody the kid in me and jig forth – at least I will have a lot of fun along the way! (Yes, the picture below is me.)

May today be full of playful fun for you and yours. May your psyche and way of being shift from Mr/Ms.serious, to child-like innocence and joy!! A.C.T. (always choose truth) as though life is still an adventure, full of wonder and delight, for as you do this, it just might become that way!