Childhood! Isn’t it the only word we get on our minds when we hear the word innocence? It is. So it is very clear that childhood is nothing but another word for innocence.
But I often wonder why this is so, why only childhood is linked with innocence and not any other age. Where does that innocence go after growing up?
Can’t we become the same today as we were in childhood when we had innocence, a loving heart, and a selfless attitude? We can!! But to get that innocence back. We need to understand how we lost that. So let’s take a dig into our memories from childhood.
Beauty In Imperfections:
Well, the concept of perfection never existed in our childhood. We used to find beauty in everything. Take the example of hand-drawn art which used to be so special even if it was not completely accurate.
But as we grow up, we become seekers of perfection which ultimately becomes a reason behind our dissatisfaction.
The Curious Minds:
Do you remember how in childhood we used to ask ‘why‘ of everything? Those countless questions that our elders often struggled to answer. That willingness to learn and explore everything we encounter.
But today, in the hustle and bustle of life, when we look back we realize that not only childhood but that curious mind is also dead.
Be it because of loaded responsibilities, hectic routines, fear of getting judged, and because of those bits of experiences and learnings that make us believe that everything has been discovered. And now there’s nothing left to be explored.
Less Was More:
Even though there weren’t many toys to play with, the enjoyment graph was still high. The lesser the number of resources we had, the more we learned from that.
Now this youth perspective of adulthood where the more you get, the less it seems. This age is painful. Where needs are endless and happiness is limited.
Learning Was Spontaneous:
Childhood is the only age where we grasp things quickly and fun-lovingly. The age where playing was associated with learning, where making mistakes was associated with learning.
Our innovative minds used to be so eager to explore new things and learn from them. We often used to be stuck with our adventures and then used to look for a way out. We didn’t realize how much our brains are getting honed.
But as we grow up, learning becomes obsolete as soon as we get a degree. We start to feel that we’ve all the desired knowledge and nothing else is left for learning and exploring. That’s the only thought that ultimately leads to the shutting down of our brains.
Expectations Were Zero:
We all know that childhood is the happiest phase of human life. But we often don’t consider or ignore the fact that children don’t expect anything from anyone.
Be it their helping nature or caring nature. They do everything without hoping for anything in return. All they crave is love.
But again, with mindset evolution, we do something for someone and then set great expectations for them. And when those expectations are not fulfilled then it becomes the cause of our frustration.
Observation Skills:
You can’t disagree with the fact that kids are the best observers who observe the minutes of details that adults may overlook. Children notice the unseen. They are like blank canvas who don’t have and see the world without any filter.
Often having different perceptions of life because they see life without any preconceived notions. They employ all their senses to understand the ongoing situation, things, and behaviour.
The more they observe, the more they understand, and the more they understand, the more clarity they’ll get in life.
But growing up today, we react more instead of fully analyzing the situation. This ultimately becomes the reason for our chaotic and not-so-clear life.
Those countless smiles:
How many times do you smile in a day? Counting..? Okay, observe yourself for a day and then you’ll find out that you Probably smile not more than 100 times a day, excluding fabricated ones.
Now remember the time you were a child. How happy you used to be, even when you didn’t have everything. And now when you have most of the desired things, even then you’re not happy.
So one thing is pretty clear: happiness is not at all linked with things. It’s just linked with our mindset and energy. Here energy means the environment you stay in. Because that reflects our moods.
Creative souls:
Do you remember how creative and imaginative we used to be in childhood? There was a lot that we did not have, but we still managed to make some arrangements all out of our creativity. This quality is there by default in children.
But in modern upbringing, those so-called societal norms and expectations kill creativity and transform us from simplified children to complex adults. Because society just can’t tolerate anyone going against their norms.
Recalling childhood memories can fill anyone with nostalgia. Knowing that it is impossible to go back to childhood. Still, we all dream of reliving the same childhood again.
Understanding the fact deep inside that we will never be able to embrace that childhood fun ever again is even more heartbreaking.
Only today do we understand the value of that childhood where life was meant to be lived, not survived. Indeed, childhood cannot be lived again. But that childhood innocence can be. Isn’t it?
Because if we look at it, what else did we have other than that innocence? We spent our entire childhood dreaming of growing up and having lots of fun. And remained unaware of the fact that unfiltered and carefree life is lived in childhood only.
So why not take a pledge that even though childhood may have died, but will not let that childhood innocence die? Wondering, how to do that? It is way too simple.
Recapturing Childhood Innocence In Daily Life
- Start by finding happiness in your smallest of achievements and capturing innocent moments.
- Don’t doubt your worth.
- Smile countless times in a day.
- Fostering curiosity and growth by engaging yourself in playful activities.
- Explore playful learning and the uncharted.
- Show gratitude for what you have.
- Spend time with kids or your favourite person.
- Give time to your childhood hobby.
- Put a break on your expectations.
- Lastly, spend some time with the best person on the planet, that is YOU.