Unleash Your Inner Child!
It’s Day 11 of our 12 Days of Inspiration. Today, we’re throwing it back to the golden days of carefree laughter, innocent mischief, and boundless imagination — yes, the glorious days of childhood!
Have you ever noticed the sheer delight in a child’s eyes as they play, laugh, and explore their world without a single worry in sight? It’s practically contagious! I mean, come on, when was the last time you genuinely laughed until your belly hurt or danced like no one was watching?
Let’s take a hilarious detour down memory lane, shall we? Picture this: kids picking out their clothes like they’re fashion gurus, playing pretend cooking like they’re the next MasterChef, and reading bedtime stories as if they’re on an epic adventure. Ah, the good ol’ days when the biggest decision was choosing between chocolate or strawberry milk.
It’s pretty comical when you think about it — the origin of stress and how it sneaks into our lives. I swear, stress must’ve taken a detour around playgrounds because I often see young children living their best lives. It’s not until elementary school that stress starts knocking on the door, bringing along homework, exams, and the dreaded math class.
Yes — we acknowledge that some children face tough times, and that truly breaks our hearts. But, for this article, allow me to focus on the playful munchkins we encounter at home or on the swing set, the ones we’ve raised or birthed. Those little ones are onto something!
Flashback to my daughter at three or four, pulling a wardrobe stunt that would make a fashionista blush. She swapped the Sunday’s best I’d carefully chosen for an ensemble that screamed “wild child.” Picture me, the pastor’s wife, trying not to cringe as we strolled into church. Spoiler alert: no one cared! In fact, they loved it, and my daughter reveled in her fashion rebellion, giggling and skipping around like a mini fashion icon.
So, here’s a dose of inspiration for today along with a call to action: channel your inner child, if only for a moment. It’s the ultimate stress reliever, a taste of freedom, and a whole lot of fun!
Here are ten things children do freely:
- Dance like no one’s watching.
- Laugh until your cheeks ache.
- Explore the world with wide-eyed wonder.
- Embrace your quirks without a second thought.
- Play pretend like it’s an Oscar-worthy performance.
- Hug like you’ve just found a long-lost friend.
- Daydream about magical lands and fantastical adventures.
- Express your emotions without holding back.
- Run like the wind, arms flailing with pure joy.
- Find joy in the simplest of things.
As an adult, I confess — I still jump rope when I catch a glimpse of kids having a blast. Their laughter is like a fountain of youth, keeping me inspired to revisit the good ol’ days. I even went on a quest for jacks the other day, unsuccessful but contemplating if I could still master that ball-bouncing move. Four square played with the famous red rubber ball, Red Light Green Light, and Mother May I — oh, the nostalgia is real!
So, folks, spill the beans! What childhood games make you smile when reminiscing? Share your favorites, and let’s sprinkle a bit of childlike magic into our day!
