Bring Your Child Out to Play

Ten Ways to Be More Like a Child

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. - Pablo Picasso

1. Be curious.

Look at things as if seeing them for the first time. Wonder how birds build their nests. Wonder where squirrels sleep in the winter. Be curious about people. When you look at life with curious eyes and ears…you judge less and love more.

2. Be yourself.

When you worry what others think about you, you lose your natural spontaneity and aliveness. Just enjoy being your beautiful authentic self!

3. See beauty everywhere.

Look for beauty in everyone and everything. It is there in the everydayness of life. Look for it in flowers, trees, birds, children on a swing, lovers holding hand.

4. Believe in miracles.

There are miracles everywhere just waiting to be enjoyed! Have fun becoming a miracle hunter.

5. Be playful.

Blow bubbles. Dance in your living room. Have an ice cream party. Go on a bike ride. Play charades. Run through the sprinkler. Sing to your hearts content.

6. Live in the moment.

When you dwell in the past you get depressed and when you worry about the future you get anxious. So, really the best place to be is HERE. NOW. And you do that by noticing what is around you.

7. Create something!

Use the skills you have to make something you love. When we are busy creating something we can not be unhappy. Creating beautiful moments counts too!

8. Spend time in nature.

Nature comes bearing so many gifts. When I walked today and saw the trees I marveled and how easily they bend with the wind. As I passed our neighborhood creek, I watched as the flow of water. I realized that I can be more like the trees and the flowing water.

9. Be spontaneous!

When you feel the urge to do something –just do it! When you wait too long, you miss opportunities to live!

10. Express yourself.

When a child is sad or mad or glad…he or she lets you know with laughter, tears or words. Feelings kept inside keep us trapped and down. If it isn’t appropriate at the time to sharethere is always your journal, a trusted friend or a therapist.