Inner Children

​The other day I attended a big family barbeque with my husband's extended family. Six kids (all under 10 years of age) attended, and on more than one occasion I found myself reflecting on how I used to feel as a child at "adult parties" (meaning events that are not solely organized for the kids), and how boring I used to think life as an adult must be. I didn't want to become an adult at all, and it was something that felt a lifetime away.
 
Today I am 33 years old (so I certainly classify as an adult - right?! Still not sure I feel like one...), and playing with kids is one of my favorite things to do. If I try to think about why that is, I think it comes down to the upfrontness of it all. Kids are so straightforward, and there's something incredibly refreshing about that. I feel a different kind of freedom than I often do when socializing with adults. I love playing and being absolutely silly, and kids can appreciate that without judgment. Another reason is their appreciation for imagination; how they are happy to enter a fantasy world where anything is possible. They haven't yet learned about life's limitations.
 
Growing up has its benefits - financial freedom, the ability to make independent decisions, and a lot of other things - but as we get older we accumulate a lot of "baggage", which can sometimes make us afraid of doing things. All this makes me think about one of my favorite pieces of art from the Burning Man festival I attended last summer.

"LOVE is a sculpture by Alexandr Milov. It demonstrates a conflict between a man and a woman as well as the outer and inner expression of human nature. The figures of the protagonists are made in the form of big metal cages, where their inner selves are captivated. Their inner selves are executed in the form of transparent children, who are holding out their hands through the grating. As it’s getting dark (night falls) the children start to shine. This shining is a symbol of purity and sincerity that brings people together and gives a chance of making up when the dark time arrives"

The message of this work of art is so beautiful and touching, and makes me think about how adults tend to express less on the outside than children do, maybe as a way to protect ourselves. Learned patterns are hard to break, and sure it's good to have some sort of filter - children aren't perfect and can be very mean as well (that topic would require an entire new post to discuss), but the key lesson we perhaps can learn from them is to remember to be playful, silly, and carefree at least once in a while...