With A Child's Heart — Style & Energy

When I got my first apartment sans roommates, my friend and godson (who was about 3 years old at the time) came to visit me. They slept on an air mattress in my living room because I didn't have all the necessary decor/furniture to fill my new space. I had one couch, a small table, some kitchen equipment, and no curtains. It didn't bother me that I only had enough furniture for a college dorm room, but what did irk me was that I had no way of blocking the glaring sun in the morning. Although I am a person who loves natural light, I am also a person who likes to sleep late from time to time and having no curtains prevented this daily. When my friend came to visit, I apologized profusely for not having curtains because I knew her morning rest would be cut short as soon as the sun peeked its head over the horizon.

When the inevitable morning came, as usual, I rose with the sun. While furiously pulling the cover over my eyes to block the harsh rays, I heard a small eager voice yell - "Mommy, somebody turned the light on outside!" I couldn't contain the huge smile that swept across my face. That was about 11 years ago, and I have never forgotten that profound observation made by my godson. While I was dreading the morning because I had no curtains to block its contents, my godson had a different perspective. From that day on, I made peace with my no-curtain situation because I allowed myself to view it as my godson had. The sun coming up didn't mean less sleep, it simply meant somebody (God) had turned the light on outside.

Every now and then I feel that it's best to take on some of life's matters with a child's heart. Children are uninhibited, imaginative, and carefree. They view the world through the most simplistic, yet philosophical lens. They don't care what anyone thinks of them as they dance their little hearts out in public. They don't limit their thinking - they imagine themselves being anything they want to be in this world. They see and appreciate the beauty in everything around them. This, my friends, is how adults should handle life as well.

Let's get back to taking on this world with a child's heart. Let's dance like no one is watching, use our wildest imaginations, and be grateful when God turns the light on outside.

Have an awesome weekend love bugs! Talk to you soon!

- Samjah Iman