If you look at anyone deeply. 

Staring at their very being, you will see the little kid they used to be. 

Anyone. Try it. 

Even those you don’t like. 

Especially those. 

Just look at them. Behind their eyes a kid is looking at you. 

Just look at the way their food stumbles on them. 

It’s the kid eating. 

And the way they are dressed. 

Not their work clothes, but their silly bracelet. 

Or the peculiar clip on the hair. 

It’s the kid getting dressed. 

My favorite place to look is people’s notepads. 

Are they doodling little flowers and silly faces next to the words at a conference?

Are they playing games on their phones?

Do they giggle? Even once in a while.

Play silly pranks. And crack jokes. 

Those who have the weight of the world on their shoulders, have stopped having any kind of fun. Even the doodling kind. 

And do you know what is the biggest invisible loss of all? 

The loss of any proof that they too used to be a kid. 

Have compassion for those whose identity of being a respectable and dutiful adult has been the only identity they remember. 

For a lot of them, they were not allowed to be kids even when they were kids. 

They had to grow up fast, to take care of a family member, or a sibling. 

They played less than the other kids. 

For those, finding that kid means everything. 

That kid gave them their start. 

Find a moment, a playful word, a spark in your eyes to share with them. 

They won’t like it. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need it. 

And if it is you, that has hidden the kid you used to be. If you are an adult with doodless notepads. Tasteless food. And only news playing on your TV. 

Pause for a second, and remember your favorite candy.

The time you sneaked out of your class, or stole the ice cream from the fridge. 

Remember that kid? Well, that kid is still with you. (Click to tweet!)

They are just looking for that one small doodle on your pad, and that game that you always wanted to check out. 

We forgot how to have fun didn’t we? 

After all, without the playing, and the laughing, and the doodling, what’s the point of it all?

 

With many doodles,

Christina

P.S May you find time to breathe this week. And doodle.

Share this post
Christina

Christina

Christina Rasmussen is an author, speaker and social entrepreneur who believes that grief is an evolutionary experience required for launching a life of adventure and creative accomplishment.

Inspiration to your inbox every Friday

Subscribe to the Life Changing Second Firsts Letters

Leave a Reply