Just Tall Children

Something I grew fond of saying in the later years of my career was "There are no real grown-ups, just tall children".  This is by no means meant to be a derogatory statement.  Let me explain.

For most of us, the child inside never goes away.  This child in us allows us to stare in wonderment at a rainbow, dance in the rain, color, play.  The child in us is insatiably curious, non-judgmental, easily entertained, and prone to giggles.

For many of us, we spend a ridiculous amount of time suppressing the child, and the world around us encourages us to leave the child behind.

The best part of me is the child within.

The child has unquestioning faith, unbridled optimism, and unfailing good humor.

The child falls down, and gets right back up.  The tears of the child can be "kissed and made better".  The child learns organically - not from being lectured - but from treating the world like a magical place just waiting to be discovered.

So when I say, "There are no real grown-ups, just tall children", I am encouraging those around me to see the child within all of us.

See the fragile delicate being who is in the process of becoming.  Because we are all still in the process of becoming.  See the hesitancy when approaching new things, and the excitement when the new is mastered.

See the vulnerability, see the wanting to belong.  See the child that may not have the skills yet to gracefully handle disappointment or failure.

See the openness to new people and new relationships.   See past the blinders and bias that we learn as we walk thought life, and see the child who had not yet learned to hate and fear.

When we acknowledge that all of us are a work in progress, we give each other permission to make mistakes, and grow from them.  When we remember that we are all still children, we have more patience with those who are struggling.  When we take the time to be fascinated by a blade of grass, or a flower, we see the real wonder of the universe right in front of us.

When you accept your inner child, and actively look for the child in others, you can exponentially increase the joy in your world.

Laugh too loud, love too much, give big hugs and wet sloppy kisses.  Hold hands crossing the street.  Skip.  Blow bubbles.  Play tag.  Have a pillow fight.  Just because you have responsibilities and commitments, you don't have to put your inner child away.