|
|
Growing Back
A growing child’s most favorite word is “why?’ They question everything, wondering how everything is, why it is, and what purpose it fulfills. They gaze upon the world with unfiltered newness, untainted by life, but openly aware of their surroundings, always inquiring, until they are chastised for being a nuisance. They have the capability of creating world from nothing, fully utilizing their brains to perceive things that are not there but are very real to them. Adults call this imagination. Children love unconditionally, fully trusting everyone until a seed of doubt is implanted in their brain that people they are unacquainted with are deemed strangers or bad; the destruction of innocence.
As we grow older, it seems we lose the capability to need to ask why, and the haze of life fogs our brain with responsibility, pain, and boundaries. But why is this? Why do we lose this fundamental gift to look around the world and query things? We fall into a pattern of repetition, not because we have forgotten, but because it feels safe, it’s what is expected of us. From the first time we are introduced into society, preschool or kindergarten, we are expected to fall in line, do as we are told, not to talk back. We believe out parent’s beliefs; life progressing and the cycle of conformity and non-thought progresses.
The childlike actions (questioning, thinking and visualizing, love) are stripped from us, but need to replace the apathy, traditionalism, and the forgotten gift of asking why. These sacred, latent abilities are not forgotten or unlearned. Seemingly, people fall into this routine and are comfortable with the monotony of everyday life, but what would happen if you did indeed start asking why? In regards to everything, why? Why do I have to feel this way? Why is this expected of me? Why can’t I feel the way I feel? Why am I expected to believe this? Questioning opens so many doors that lay hidden, waiting for you, wanting you to pass through and see new potentials, or questioning will reaffirm your own truths, making them right, the correct answer undoubtedly.
Empathy is one of the most beautiful and useful human emotions; I often wonder what it is like not to feel, but it is beyond me, not in my nature. When someone comes to me in times of distress, how could I not care to listen and attempt to aid somehow? Even if listening is only for them to vent, not seeking guidance, I am there to purely show them love in the hope that they will know love and realize they are fully capable of loving themselves and gifting it to others as well. I hope, in turn, they use that love and compassion that I have shown them to trump whatever problem they are dealing with. There is nothing but greatness that stems from the expression of the many faces of love; such an easy idea to practice, but ultimately, it is up to myself and other to implement it. We all get caught up in our own problems and may miss a cry for help; if we just stop and listen, care, love, help; the impact would be exponentially phenomenal.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2012 02:48PM by The_Butcher.
|