Childlike Behaviour
On the way home today, a part of me felt disappointed, nothing out of the norm perhaps, just the usual thoughts floating in my mind "hai, how come I didn't know that? How come I'm not getting things together?" Common sentiments for a tough posting. And I walked by some of my neighbours sitting by the ground floor, a father and son pair, people I've met several times before, greeted and spoken to sparsely while in the elevator.
So as I walked by the father, we exchanged greetings. And his son, his adorable 18 month year old who I was told (by his mother), likes to behave like a 2 and half year old, who has the cutest rosiest cheeks ever, the brightest smile, with innocent looking eyes; He turned excitedly to see who I might be, and at first glance, I saw his face light up with recognition, his mouth conforming into the shape of a wide smile, his eyes sparkling, conveying a sense of warmth and joy...and if you use a little imagination, perhaps even an element of childlike love. I turned to smile and wave, of course, who could resist doing that?
But in that moment, in receiving that smile, that excited response from this little toddler, whom I've only met 3-4 times before in and around the elevator, I felt my heart jump out of its hole, my spirit lifted. I felt blessed by this simple transaction, I felt...loved.
Imagine that, what power a gesture like that wields. Amazing how a child possesses that ability to edify. Perhaps as adults, we construct inhibitions as we grow up, as we mature, we constantly assess, holding everything suspect, we find it so difficult to trust, so difficult to have faith. What if we could restore that child in us? What if we could maintain that uninhibited childlike perspective in our relationships with each other? Imagine the power of love that would transcend all boundaries. Imagine how we could grow.
Hm..ideals of another world perhaps. If only it were possible.
So as I walked by the father, we exchanged greetings. And his son, his adorable 18 month year old who I was told (by his mother), likes to behave like a 2 and half year old, who has the cutest rosiest cheeks ever, the brightest smile, with innocent looking eyes; He turned excitedly to see who I might be, and at first glance, I saw his face light up with recognition, his mouth conforming into the shape of a wide smile, his eyes sparkling, conveying a sense of warmth and joy...and if you use a little imagination, perhaps even an element of childlike love. I turned to smile and wave, of course, who could resist doing that?
But in that moment, in receiving that smile, that excited response from this little toddler, whom I've only met 3-4 times before in and around the elevator, I felt my heart jump out of its hole, my spirit lifted. I felt blessed by this simple transaction, I felt...loved.
Imagine that, what power a gesture like that wields. Amazing how a child possesses that ability to edify. Perhaps as adults, we construct inhibitions as we grow up, as we mature, we constantly assess, holding everything suspect, we find it so difficult to trust, so difficult to have faith. What if we could restore that child in us? What if we could maintain that uninhibited childlike perspective in our relationships with each other? Imagine the power of love that would transcend all boundaries. Imagine how we could grow.
Hm..ideals of another world perhaps. If only it were possible.
posted by Joel at 5:55 PM
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