Do you still view life with the wonder of a child?

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   Faith Reaperposted 11 years ago

   Do you still view life with the wonder of a child?
   
   For me, whenever I am around young children, especially my grands, am I reminded through their eyes just how wonderful everything about this life is, even the smallest of things. I think it is wonderful to capture back or keep that wonderment about life.  We can learn a lot or remember when we look at the world through the eyes of a child.  What are your thoughts?
   
   

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2. 60

   Sparkleaposted 11 years ago

   Faith, this is a great question. 
   Yes, I never, ever, want to lose the excitement of life I felt as a child.  This is not being 'childish'...in fact, some authors say to visit the past is not good, but to stay in the present.
   
   I do not agree.
   
   I believe that those who view life with the wonder of a child are happier people.  To me, I find it sad to overhear conversations when I am out and about - especially at the Barnes & Noble Café - about how terrible our world is, and the world has gone to the dogs, complaining about our President, asking 'what's this world coming to?'
   
   I can answer that question.  The world is not coming to anything!  It is, has, and always will be...until Jesus Christ decides to change it for the better.  Yes, there are bad things always happening, but we can change our focus...with all the bad stuff, it is still a beautiful world that we live in.
   
   Every morning I ask God during my walk, "God, what is life?" and the answer is always, "This."
   
   Life is the greatest gift we have been given...like the beautiful picture above, I LOVED smelling the daffodils in the Spring, LOVED, the smell of the air after the rain, - to me this is LIFE. And, today, I STILL smell the daffodils, as I did when I was a child.
   
   My grandparents always took my sis and I to DeRuyter Lake for the summer.  Can I recapture those childhood memories?  Of course I can!  Through old photos - and I can drive there any time, take current pictures, and enjoy the childhood wonder.
   
   It never really goes away, does it?  This is why we take pictures, this is why parents take videos of their children...and now, as adults, those videos can be watched and shared with our own children and grandchildren...to 'review' the wonder and continue to live the wonder.
   
   In my opinion this is a great way to live - back then - now - and forever - until God takes us home.  Blessings, Sparklea

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   1. 87

      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, Sparklea, thank you for sharing your wonderful insight to this question of the wonder of all things!  Your beautiful answer is telling of your beautiful attitude towards life. We are off to a party in the park to observe the wonder of it all!

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      Sparkleaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Have a wonderful time!  It is chilly here, only 48 degrees!

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Sparklea, you changed your profile pic ...I love it!  I loved the other one too with your big beautiful smile. Oh, it was such fun and 85 degrees here.  Brrr ... for you still!  Thank you for being you... please never change!

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   Dee aka Nonnaposted 11 years ago

   You know, I never wanted grandchildren, but then when the first one arrived I saw it as such a blessing.  The second one a double blessing, and now I feel like I am a child whenever I am with them.  they bring out the adventure in me that I'd forgotten existed.  We have picnics in the park, in the backyard, and on the family room floor.  They remind of of what true and pure love looks and feels like.  And, yes, oh yes, I see the wonder in everything.

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, I feel the same way whenever I am around them, so childlike and full of wonder with the enjoyment of watching their wonder of all things.  It is an adventure indeed! We are off to the park to enjoy celebrating my 4 year old granddaughter's b'day!

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4. 88

   sallybeaposted 11 years ago

   Faith Reaper
   I love being with children and when I am with them I sense that the feeling is mutual.  I enjoy every minute of the time spent with them and It is my hope that when they leave me they will have learned something valuable, even if it only how to make home made bread or how to watch spiders or ladybirds and bugs with new eyes.  Children are the most important thing that we can bring into this world and I think if we can give them back some of the joy they give us.then then we are paid back in full measure.
   This is a wonderful question and I am looking forward to reading what others have to say on this question.
   Never lose the wonderment - though in my eyes I might add, the pleasure receive from being with some of our most senior citizens is equal to the pleasure I get from being with children - it is all about the joy of listening - whether it be with a child or an adult.
   Have a lovely week-end
   Sally

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Dear Sallybea,  Yes, you have described it very well.  Oh, so true, no matter what age, those who look at every aspect of life with wonder, I think are such a blessing, and I am always amazed at all that is going on in His creation.  Blessings

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   sheilamyersposted 11 years ago

   There are times I still view the world that way. I think it's a wonderful way to relieve the stress and tensions of the adult world. When we're always taking everything so seriously, it leads to unhappiness and the stress to various diseases. A quick and simple cure is to slow down and look at the world through the eyes we had when we were children.

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Sheila,  thank you for answering with such profound thoughts!  So true, if we do not stop and be thankful and enjoy this life with its many wonders, then we are missing out ... and for no reason, but our own failure to stop and enjoy.  Blessings

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6. 86

   grand old ladyposted 11 years ago

   Very sadly, no. But then, maybe yes. My childhood wasn't always great so if you presume childlike optimism, no. But if you presume the wonder of discovery of the simplest things, I have that and sometimes it arises and then you feel a unique appreciation of life.

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   1. 87

      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Dear grand old lady,  I am sorry dear one.  Yes, that is what I am referring to in your third line, when we have the wonder of discovery of the simplest things in this life.  It does give one a unique appreciation of life indeed.  Blessings

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   Dave36posted 11 years ago

   Try mindful meditating whilst your walking about Faith Reaper, what it does is starts helping you see all the fine details in nature etc..Iv'e been dabbling with it for around 8 months now, & at 41 years of age life is starting to really fascinate me now..Usually when we walk about we have our "mind" on other things rather than the scenery/birds etc, but when mindfully walking our mind is only on what we see..So we start seeing reality clearer, & i swear everything looks more defined to me now..I'm a 41 yr old "roughie toughie" oil refinery worker, & honestly i have to stop to look at a tree now!lol..I think what it is is we're usually always thinking about something, & so we don't see the beauty in the world as we're far too busy..Even in the shower we're usually thinking about other things, so if you want to become fascinated in life again try mindful meditating, & feel the real thing..Children aren't too busy to notice the things we over look as we're in a rush, or thinking about something that distracts us..Once a person starts unlocking their mind that's when the magic starts, & mindful meditating is the best place to start.

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Dave, thank you for sharing your thoughts here.  So, true, as adults we are so wrapped up in things, we sometimes forget to enjoy the beauty of something as simple the delicacy of a flower. I am glad you are now enjoying the wonder all around!

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   AnastasiaMcGowanposted 11 years ago

   I remember asking a lot of questions as a kid but I think as we grow up we are taught to just listen to people that know better than us, people that have a degree, and we aren't allowed to be inquisitive, we are just to take an authority figure's word and move on to the next thing. Human beings are naturally inquisitive that is why children are always in awe and wonderment of everything. We do everything so quickly in life nowadays that there isn't time to say "wow look at that, isn't that amazing" people don't register the beauty in the world anymore because there isn't time to be curious and be in awe of something. I don't think a lot of people view life that way anymore because someone is always saying that they need to grow up and put childish things aside. Sometimes for me it is hard to view life as being wonderful due to all the atrocities in the world and because of my own experiences. I try to be more childlike because children are present in the moment unlike adults who are preoccupied with thoughts and feelings, I feel that more people should live in the moment rather than stay in their own heads and miss something beautiful. We can change our outlook and how we perceive the world, sure it is difficult but not impossible and if more people would just come to realize that they have the power to shape their world everyone would be happier.

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      Dave36posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      All of the atrocities/experiences are man made.In the past things we're made by hand, so people we're trades men/crafts men, & we're closer to creation as we we're creating things ourselves.Now technology is taking 'over  we're becoming disconnec

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hello AnastasiaMcGowan, Thank you for sharing your deep thoughts on the question.  Yes, we do have the choice to look at life with joy and wonder no matter what our circumstances, even the smallest little things such as the beauty of a butterfly.

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   Shyron E Shenkoposted 11 years ago

   
   
   Yes! I do.
   
   Children are what we all should be. I like to play with the kids and watch cartoons with the kids and play games on the computer with the kids. 
   
   If you want truth, ask a child
   If you want love, hug a child
   If you want a friend hold out your hand to a child.
   If you want to laugh, watch the antics of a child.
   
   A special memory I have of my son and his first flying flower (butterfly,) which lit on his finger and I got the picture.
   
   I agree with Sparklea. God wants us to be as a little child.

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   1. 87

      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Dear Shyron,  Aw, thank you for sharing that precious photo!!!  Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about, that we should capture in our hearts the joy of the beauty of even the smallest things, i.e. butterfly!!! Yes, He does! (((Hugs)))

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10. 84

    bravewarriorposted 11 years ago

    Faith, it's ironic you ask this question. Back when the Perspectives Team was active one of the topics was 'wonder'. I took my perspective from that of a child. I think as we grow older and take on the responsibility of raising children we lose that aspect. It's sad.
    
    We relish in the wonder we see in our children, but have to maintain a balance to guide their wonder. I don't know if I'm making sense in my comment. Perhaps the hub I wrote will better say what I mean:
    
    http://bravewarrior.hubpages.com/hub/Bu … erspective
    
    I know links aren't allowed in comments to our hubs. I hope the questions area allows us to share hubs that may provide the answers our hub family seeks. If not, feel free to delete. I certainly don't want to jeopardize anyone's standing with HP.
    
    You know I love you, Faith!
    Sha

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    1. 87

       Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Sha, Yes, you are making perfect sense.  It is sad when we lose are wonder about the beauty that is all around us. I believe they are allowed in questions  if they relate to the question. Aw, thank you, I love you too! I will read with interest!

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