kid againIt is time to be a kid again! I mean really let yourself return to childhood and kick loose.

Who cares what the neighbors or your co-workers or your family thinks? It is more than time for you to throw caution to the wind and build a snowman in the front yard. Yes, the front yard, so everyone and anyone can see you.

Preschooler me built this snowman (pictured) with my brothers in our front yard in the 60s. Then when Mom took the photo, I hugged the snowman tight. Cheese. Smile for the camera. Who cares if my jacket or gloves got wet? Snow people are on display, but few of us ever give them a little squeeze of appreciation. Go on, if you live around snow this winter, extend some affection to your favorite snow person.


Extra Helpings of Silly

If it were summer or you live in more tropical weather, I’d encourage you to pick dandelions to give away. Or make some mud pies to deliver to friends. Or what about running through the sprinkler in street clothes? Go on, step into an everyday mini adventure without first scheduling it in your calendar.

While you’re at it, take a minute and read my “Be a Kid Again” prose. I hope it brings smiles and playfulness to nudge you out of adult seriousness. Seriously, most of us need extra helpings of silly these days.

Be a Kid Again

Be a kid again.

Giggle. And giggle lots more.

Make a mess with cookies and milk.

Fall asleep curled up with your pet.

Smile at the sun and watch it smile back.

Hug a snowman . . . real tight.

Sing off-key and make up lyrics.

Be kind to those who don’t play nice.

Be a kid again.

Run in circles until you plop down.

Sink your toes in wet sand and linger in the moment.

Pull out crayons and be your own Picasso.

Chase a butterfly, daring to out-fly it.

Eat a popsicle. Forget about it dripping.

Be happy for no logical reason at all.

Be a kid again.


Put Growing Old on Hold

So how about we live in the present and snuggle into the now? What if we tossed aside our “what ifs” and embraced far-reaching dreams to the moon and back? If only we would follow the advice of playwright George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” 

So be a kid again—this day—and tomorrow too. Even if just for one minute to make a mess with cookies. Or 30 seconds to hug a snowman real tight. Go on, your jacket will dry. It is more than time to put growing old on hold.

 

Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss
Facebooktwitterlinkedin