Dear Girlfriends,
Q: Bavaria is a state in what European country?
This is why I will never be a contestant on the television game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” I’m an idiot by today’s academic measure; kids, these days, are incredibly intelligent. And, as I watch my granddaughter grow, I realize they are often very wise.
Many of you have followed my blog or read my book and might remember the series, What Does It Look Like that I wrote for Ava just after her birth; if you haven’t read it, this series is about all the important things I want to teach Ava and model for her. But the tables have already turned; Ava, now 2 ½ years old, is teaching her Sugar a thing or two – like how to bask in happiness.
Observing Ava as she plays, I realize that we lose something as we grow and mature. We lose the ability to look at life with childlike wonder, to be open to new concepts, welcome new friends, and live in the moment. As grownups, we burden ourselves (and usually others) with negative thoughts, selfish actions, and vanity.
Because some of you, my Girlfriends, do not have the opportunity to be influenced by a wee one, I thought I would share with you the Five Secrets to Happiness that I am learning from the master. Yes, she’s only two; but God love her – she’s given me a brand-new perspective on:
The importance of self-control,
The benefits of a limited vocabulary,
The release from a good belly-laugh,
The self-confidence that results from taking risks, and
The freedom that comes from being absolutely oblivious.
If, like me, you could use a happiness mentor, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share mine with you – if you can look past the fact that she’s only 34″ tall.
Remembering what I forgot,
Ellen
P.S. If you answered Germany, congratulations, you’re as smart as a 5th grader (and way smarter than me).
OK, I can already tell I’m going to enjoy this series. Bring it on, Girlfriend!
What a wonderful perspective and lesson learned from a 2 year old! Here’s to many belly laughs! Can’t wait for more insight from Ava!
I too am blessed with a “master”, and am learning daily how much the freedom to learn means. If only we as adults could remember to stay childlike in our response to others and ourselves, the world would be a much better place. Thanks for reminding this Mimi of the importance of being childlike.
It seems like as we grow older we give up on the idea of being happy. I think we make thing complicated maybe like you said we stop living in the moment and think too much about tomorrow.
I think we stop living in the moment and think too much about tomorrow.