Harold the Great!
Harold the Great!
An 8 year old study in wonder, hope and joy ….
Just returned home from a lovely week at the beach with some of my grands. These kids are really wonderful and it is so fun to be around them. I forgot how much I enjoy the company of children. Maybe it is the open beach, the vacation vibe… I’m sure it was the beautiful setting and unhurried rhythm of the week . . . I was able to see things through their eyes. The wonder, the imagination, and the hope of everyday life.
I saw this play out for Harold, in almost every single thing we did. I saw it as we played Pickleball, (he had a great time on the winning team - we didn’t keep score, and he has very few skills.. But no matter, each shot was a new chance for him) as we played card games, (His favorite was Blackjack…he just could not resist the “hit me” with one more card… believing that each one would get him to 21, the angst over the decision…and of course laughing when it didn’t). I saw it as we bicycled on the beach, (Splashing in the water, zooming around and finding the perfect sea shells, rocks, driftwood….each item an incredible treasure), every activity meant an opportunity for something great to unfold. For magic to happen.
By coincidence (and there is never a coincidence) I am reading a book by Elizabeth Gilbert called Big Magic. I’m borrowing her belief that creativity and magic are real and they exist in each of us. That our creativity comes from the part of us that is Divine. She talks about how we often let our fear have decision making power in our lives, and that fear tends to drown out the creativity and magic that is in each of us. Ugh… I can relate.
The contrast between the way I approach life and the way Harry approaches things is huge. Bigger than I want it to be. So this is the take away for me… I want to use wonder and hope to allow more magic into my life. Who knows what might happen. A great shot, a winning hand, or a new treasure? I’m ready to begin.
Let me know if you want to learn more or if I can help.