Celebrating The Child In You:
Today (14th November), in India we celebrate Children’s Day as a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru who was born on November 14, 1889. How do we celebrate the child in you?
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India (from 1947 until his death in 1964). Jawaharlal Nehru, who was fondly called Chacha Nehru or simply Chachaji, was known for his love for children. On this day, chocolates and gifts are often distributed among children, while schools organize different events such as debates, and music and dance performances
Prior to 1964, India celebrated Children’s Day on 20 November, which was observed as the universal Children’s Day by the United Nations. But after Jawaharlal Nehru’s death in 1964, it was unanimously decided to celebrate his birthday as Bal Diwas (Children’s Day) in the country due to his love and affection towards children. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru once said “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country”.
I have often wondered though….why can’t we continue to be like little children and enjoy “Children’s Day” all our lives? Even though we progress from the phase of being a child, into our teenage years, into adulthood, why can’t we still retain the childlike innocence that we used to possess?
When we grow up (literally speaking) into adulthood, somewhere down the line, we lose the childlike innocence that lies within us. We are so caught up in the nitty-gritty of life, that we have forgotten how to laugh, we have forgotten how to celebrate, we have forgotten how to jump with joy, we have forgotten how to make the weirdest faces ever! What happened to us? Some people may say : “ life happened!” I beg to disagree. Here, I must point out that as adults, one can be childlike as well as mature. There is a difference in childishness and maturity.
How do we keep the child within us alive? Let’s see:
1.By being spontaneous:
When was the last time you jumped with joy when your heart jumped with joy, when something made you happy?
When was the last time you broke into an impromptu jig, when you heard some good news or something went better then planned?
Let go of yourself! Let go of your inhibitions! Jump with joy, maybe people will call you crazy, but who cares? Be spontaneous, don’t hold back.
2.Enjoying the simple pleasures of life:
When was the last time you suddenly saw candy floss and decided to buy one for yourself and enjoy it?
When was the last time you sat down with an entire cone or tub of ice-cream and enjoyed it, licking the last bit of it? Maybe you don’t like ice-cream, when was the last time you bought what you liked, and relished it?
3. Being child-like:
Who says that a Carousel or Roundabout or Merry Go Round is meant only for children?
What about the child in you? Go on..enjoy yourself..let your hair down a bit. You deserve it 🙂
4.Smiling/laughing out loud:
Why do we suppress that smile that is itching to breakout? Why don’t we just burst out laughing? Why is Lol (Laugh out Loud) only used in whatsapp messages and jokes?
5. Shouting / singing/ dancing with joy
When I am happy..I tend to sing out loud, laugh out loud and jump at every occasion! What’s the thing that you do?
6.Playing games:
When was the last time you played like a child? Have you ever participated in a duck race? I have and also put my bet on it (I lost, that’s a different thing!) When was the last time you played a game, which revived your childhood memories?
7. Taking time to stand and stare:
We grown-ups always seem to be in a rush! Little children have all the time in the world. They truly know the essence of how to appreciate all that is around them..be it the dog playing, the cows grazing, the birds chirping or the pretty flowers growing. We see all these things every single day of our lives, yet, they pass by us, unnoticed, unappreciated.
Here I recall to mind the poem – Leisure by Willliam Henry Davies:
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Have you noticed children? When they are happy, how do they react? They jump with joy..they clap their hands in glee….they find happiness in the little things of life..like spending time with the people they love, giving a spontaneous kiss or a hug.
Where have we lost that spark? Where have we buried deep within us that childlike curiosity to know and find out about things?
We all have a child within us….we just need to re-trigger all those things which will bring out that child likeness in us.
The best way to do it is, is by doing the things we love. By following our dreams, our passions and following our bliss!
I am following my bliss by traveling and boy……I can’t express enough how I am celebrating life..celebrating the child within me 🙂 Keep the child within you always alive. And you will stand out, even if you are in the crowd..because ..Somewhere in the crowd there’s you.
Until then, keep traveling and keep sharing your stories.
Your TravelMate
awesome, Maria!