Weekend With the Girls

Spending three days with two lively little girls would be enough to drain the energy of any normal, red-blooded adult. I am no exception. As a single, childless grown-up, my days are spent quietly and peacefully. My typical day does not consist of wrestling, gymnastics, and ballet pirouettes. My stomach is used to digesting wheat bread, fruit and chicken, not peanuts and cookies. But when I find myself in the company of two playful 10-year-olds, named Sophia and Caitlynn, somehow my energy returns in abundance. Suddenly I find myself doing back bends, the splits, trading back tickles, and watching Hannah Montana.
Allowing myself to be a kid all over again is liberating. For a brief moment in time I am able to relegate my daily responsibilities to the back of my mind, and I am able to be the person I was when I truly didn't have a care in the world. I am able to stop focusing on little details that consume my thoughts, depleting my energy and creativity. My problems may not disappear, but my spirit is recharged, if only just a little.

What can we learn from the moments we spend with children?

The purity of their hearts, simplicity of their thought processes, and incorruptibility of their values is something to be admired. Children inspire me with their innocence. They remind me that others around me used to be as uncomplicated and carefree at one time in their lives. By looking a little deeper into each person I see the essence of their beauty. This allows me to demonstrate greater compassion and grace toward others.

During this next week, I urge you to strive to see the beauty that exists in each person you encounter. Then carry it one step further and extend genuine compassion toward that person. Make a note of how your interactions with others develop. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. With enough practice this way of seeing the world around you will become second nature. Remain steadfast and committed during those moments when you forget, then reset your focus. nn