Through Children's Eyes
Yesterday was a series of firsts for Finn and Pax. Their first flight, their first In-N-Out burger, and their first time in the ocean. For the cherry on top, we shot off a bunch of fireworks with our friends to end the night (not a first, but who doesn’t love blowing stuff up!?!?). It was a fun day, indeed, but what makes it special for me is watching it through their eyes. The looks of shock, awe, excitement, and amazement…..all of them are gold! It can be magical.
I sometimes get jealous of how excited kids get. The simplest thing for a kid might as well be the Powerball jackpot. We adults, on the other hand, oftentimes struggle to get excited about even the coolest of things. I suppose that’s what happens after you’ve lived long enough and nothing feels truly new.
I think this is one of the contributing factors to why many adults try to spend their way to happiness. Upping the ante, shooting higher, going bigger. Sometimes we make drastic decisions in hopes of sparking something. Maybe it’s that something we used to feel way back when in childhood.
But what if we could find a way to regain some of that childlike excitement? I’ve been experimenting with this idea for a while now…..especially as it pertains to travel. The 1,000th flight and 400th hotel start to feel a bit blah, but there are so many ways to light that fire of wonder. For me, it’s seeking out a new city, or maybe a new neighborhood in a city you’ve already spent a lot of time in. That’s what Sarah and I did during a recent trip to Doha, Qatar. We intentionally explored a different part of the city, forcing ourselves to get uncomfortable. It felt like a whole new adventure. Or maybe we’ll try to find under-the-radar sites to visit, or unique food, or connect with different people.
To be honest, there’s one more idea that’s been better than any of the others. Finding ways to loop other people into the journey with us. I may not be able to experience something for the first time again, but I can help others gain that experience in their own lives (and share it with them). This is truly one of my favorite things in the world. It’s an act of generosity. Some people want these new experiences but don’t know how to access them. Each of us has access to something unique in life, just waiting to be shared with others. Maybe it’s a place, or an event, or a relationship, or a skill. When we share it, in a way, we get to watch it through their eyes. That’s a true gift…..for the giver.