things we learn from toddlers
Our granddaughter, Brave D, is eighteen months old.
Within an hour of arriving at our house for Christmas with her brother and parents, she had figured out how to “do” our stairs that lead to the basement. She put her hands on the top step, dangled her body towards the bottom step and just slid. Three seconds. Big smile. Probably good for the digestion. Unorthodox, to be sure, but quick and effective. And fun.
I believe she is motivated in exactly the same manner that I am. Search for the fun first, and find the quickest, most efficient way of getting the job done. The difference between her and I is - she knows how to think outside the box. I see stairs, she sees a toboggan hill. I see handrails. She sees them whizzing by.
I think, “that would get my clothes dirty.” She thinks…no wait, she doesn’t care how much laundry racks up.
Everywhere she looks, she sees opportunity. Creativity. Potential.
Clearly, my plastics drawer needs rearranging. Evidently, the laundry needs to be strewn on the floor and not in the basket. It’s decorative. Cupboards doors exist to be opened. Duh. Zippers are made to be unzipped. Purses have contents that cry to be freed from the dark and dismal interior. Hooks to keep her out of the bar? No problem, a simple puzzle, easily solved.
She is curious and full of wonder. Have I ever really appreciated the shape and colour and feel of my credit cards? Rubbed them together to see what noise they make? Have I ever tasted the door of my fridge? I never, ever walk up to people and say “pee” just to see how they’ll react. Oh the boundless joy in simple things.
The daily fabulous that exist in our life that we overlook in our busy-ness and grownup-ness. If we could only stop, look around and ask ourselves the question: what is in front of me RIGHT NOW and what would I love to do? What would be hilarious? What would make me feel amazing right now? How can I be bigger than my physical body in my ability to experience things?
That is self care at its finest, my friends. This moment. Be in it.
