Child-Like Enthusiasm

School's Out for the Summer!

 Feel the Excitement in the Air

Lychee Martini- YUMMY!

Ok so I know I am a little late with my exclamation considering it's August but I just finished my last class after 12 weeks of summer session. So for me school is finally out and I am filled with a child-like enthusiasm similar to the excitement I felt as a younger me on the last day of school! Although my summer vacation is abbreviated to only 3 weeks this year I plan on making the most of every moment starting tonight! I am going to a celebratory dinner with a new friend and I cannot wait to relax, sip on my favorite lychee martini, and enjoy some delicious food. My energy and excitement makes me wish that I felt this way about more things that occur my life. Life is more fun and enjoyable when you are able to feel and get excited about upcoming events, new starts, time with friends and family, vacations, and the list goes on. I think as adults or a young adult in my case we get so caught up in our routine, our obligations, and the serious aspects of our life that we forget what it feels like to be excited and enthusiastic about things. I am going on a family vacation to Bermuda next week and I have been so engrossed in my class work, babysitting duties, and doctor appointments that I haven't given myself the time to be excited. I am getting a week off in a tropical paradise and I am finally getting to spend quality time with my older brother who I haven't really seen since this past January. Now that I am talking about the trip and realizing how close it is I am beginning to feel that child-like enthusiasm. It's a feeling that I like to refer to as a kid's first trip to Disney World excitement! I have butterflies in my stomach (but the good kind), I got a burst of energy despite my sleep deprivation, and I can feel a smile coming across my face. It's sad that we need to make time in order to feel excited about things going on in our lives. We can't allow ourselves to get so busy that we forget what it feels like when we are looking forward to something fabulous and fun! I have two quotes today that are both related to catering to our inner child and allowing ourselves to feel the happiness and great anticipation that we once did. The first is from Albert Einstein-

"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead; his eyes are closed."  

- Albert Einstein

Einstein's brilliance clearly extends beyond science. His quote speaks directly to the point I proposed previously. When get so caught up in the responsibilities and the routine of our lives that we can't even take a moment to experience joy and enthusiasm we are not experiencing a full life. We need to keep balance in our lives- work and play, calm and energized, typical and special, routine and fun! Too much of any of these things will mess up the equilibrium of our lives and leave us feeling dissatisfied. We must open are eyes and live our lives by taking the time to stop and truly appreciate different moments and parts of our lives. The following quote is simple and speaks to the existence and desires of the child still within us-

"In every real man [and woman] a child is hidden that wants to play." 

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Kids don't worry about salmonella-eat up!

I personally am very aware of my inner child and her desire to come out and "play" or take part in my life. I am so in touch with her that sometimes she comes out when I'm not paying attention- my mood will change as well as my body language and occasionally my voice- and it's not always appropriate. But if we can again balance our degree of connectedness with our inner children we can involve a healthy amount of "play," fun, youthful energy, and child-like enthusiasm into our lives. I believe that we would all benefit from allowing our younger selves to come out and dance around in our undies, lick the cake batter off the mixers, jump in rain puddles, and wear our hair in pigtails! We can have such a great time in life if we just allow ourselves to. So even if you work year round and don't get a summer vacation just trying screaming school's out for the summer! I guarantee feelings of nostalgia will erupt within you and a smile will come to your face.

Your inner child is screaming, let her or him out!
xo

I am NEVER too old to snuggle with my little buddies!