Childlike wonder and wisdom
Some artists spend their careers trying to recapture the sense of wonder and imagination they had as children. I was reminded of that this summer while I sketeched and watched my friends kids create artwork from flotsam and jetsam on the beach. Their sand drawings, sand castles, driftwood forts, glass and shell and mobiles, and improvised instruments fascinated me. Their sense of awe with every new marine discovery and spontaneous exploration of its creative possibilities was a wonder to behold.
Artists capture beauty that can evoke the feeling awe for this environment we a part of. The sense of awe and wonder so fresh in children can be apparent in their creations. Knowing how to quiet the mind, see and sense and be in nature, while suspending judgment helps artists to develop the vision to see beauty in things that most people would not give a second glance to.
“I don’t like a big enterprise of people working for me. I don’t want to be a master. I want to be a kid. To keep making art, you have to put yourself in the position of a beginner. You have to be excited by a stone on the sidewalk or, like a child, the flight of a bird.” — Gabriel Orozco in the New York Times
Boundless energy, curiosity, imagination, creativity, a sense of anticipation and wonder (anything can happen/anything is possible), these are all the traits of a child. They reawakened within me when circled by a ring happy children beaming smiles. Unbridled joy and splashing in the sea ended in wild dashing for the shore. Their laughter was infectious and made me crave for more. Tender touches and fond embraces will be in my memories until next year, when I’ll see them all again – right here.
The Starfish -Ka Hôkû Kai (kah HOH’ KOO’ kai)
Once upon a time, there was a wise kupuna (elder), who went to the sea to contemplate. One day while walking along the shore, the kupuna looked down the beach, and saw a gracefully dancing human figure. The kupuna wondered out loud, “who would so joyfully greet this day with hula?” and began to walk faster to catch up. Getting closer …
The kupuna saw that the dancer was a keiki (child), who was not dancing at all. The keiki was reaching down to the sand to pick up something, and was gently throwing it into the sea. The kupuna called out to the keiki, “Aloha! What are you doing?”
The keiki paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish into the sea.” Surprised, the kupuna sputtered, “I guess I should have asked, ”Why are you throwing starfish into the sea?” The keiki smiled brightly, pointed upward and, with exquisite simplicity, replied “The sun is up, the tide is going out, if I don’t throw them in they will die.” “But don’t you realize,” asked the kupuna, “that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The keiki listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it gently into the sea, just beyond the breaking waves, and exuberantly declared, “It made a difference for that one.”
In each and every one of us, there is something very special. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a positive difference. If we are fortunate enough to fully accept and acknowledge that gift, we gain the “mana”, the power to shape the future.
Like the starfish, you have been chosen out of the multitude, to surf upon this cyber-shore and be inspired by a child’s wisdom. Become the wise keiki. “The sun is up, the tide is going out. If you don’t throw them in, they will die.”
Return the aloha spirit back into your Sea of Life. Find your starfish. Throw them gently and wisely back into the sea so they may live. Making a difference, you will Live!
“Never lose the child like wonder. It’s just too important. It’s what drives us. Help others. Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.” — Randy Pausch
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That’s a very sweet story & just what I needed. Thank you! :)
Love the story!! I’m lucky; I go outside and marvel at everything. Mindfulness does that to you. Need to read up on WordPress. I have a blog there, but never developed it. I’m so quick on blogger, 15 minutes to create a blog.
Will be back. Oh, everywhere but Facebook, I am scribadiva (I’ve had that since the late ’80′s, It should have taken my name, because I follow you, that’s my name on BC.
Anyway, it is going to be crazy this September, but I’ll drop by for relief.
Hope you are feeling well.
Sweet tides, scribadiva (BC, BU)
Children are a wonder in their innocence and are curious about their surroundings. Their minds are not tainted with prejudices, hindered by rules and do not conform to some man-made ideas. They are more open and accepting. When you’re open, you’re likely more to be “in-tuned” to what goes on around you and hence, see beauty in your enviroment. A lot of people have lost this ability which is a shame.
I love that story about the star fish. :)
That sense of wonder is something I’ve never lost. I’ve never grown cynical or disillusioned with life like so many other adults. I think the writing helps, since it’s based on observation, always looking at things and seeing them as if for the first time-and spending a lot of time in nature. Just this morning while I was watering my garden I saw a toad hopping among the flowers, and I got as excited as if I were Columbus and had just discovered America.
Very Refreshing and thought provoking post, I love the whole concept and analogy of being childlike .. And section in quotes here had grab my attention… “to develop the vision to see beauty in things that most people would not give a second glance to”. I must seize this opportunity to thank you for your contributions/comments to Self Help Wellness ..Much appreciated.
Hi-i!
Thanks, for bringing a little freshness to such discussions! :O)
I’ll also point out that children are great at letting go of convention when it doesn’t suit them! That’s a wonderful lesson for us all!
Thought I’d also share a wonderful Abraham-Hicks video from trnjulcica’s YouTube channel. It’s got some gorgeous very colorful visuals & is titled: “The grown-up who knew life was supposed to be fun.”
Enjoy! :D
Sunshine & Blessings,
Giovani
I must confess. I never quite grew up. Iam not sure at what early age, but once upon a time I stood up in my crib bed and looked out my window screen into the summer night and thought to my self, “What is this?” I have always continued my search to find the answer and to enjoy my work as an artist all the while. The child-like wonder is still there even though it is three-quarters of a century later and I no longer have the energy to paint or draw…I blog and find it quite fascinating enough to fill my days. My best
Thank you for reminding me of that beautiful starfish story, it is so perfect. I love the post because reconnecting to our inner child brings us back to an endless source of creativity that is not hindered by our learned restraints, our must not do’s or should not do’s. I recommend doing something silly everyday and then giggling about it.
Nick
What an uplifting post TiTi.
I do my best to live my life being childlike – very different from how I used to be. For 20 years of my adult life, I behaved childishly – big difference! Tantrums and sulks don’t look good on a 40 year old!
We live an hours drive from the seaside. One of the beaches we visit has stranded starfish when the tide goes out. I happily spend a couple of hours taking them back down the the sea. So I really identify with your story.
It is so true, each and every one of us has the power to make a difference.
Smiles and blessings.
TT,
Truly, children can help us see the world in such creatively pure way (or perhaps a purely creative way). I’ve spent much time working with children doing probono work (children who are survivors of sexual abuse) and seeing the way they abandon themselves in artwork is truly inspiring.
Loved the wonderful starfish story. It was perfect.
Take care,
Melinda
Hi again TT and thank you for this one. I believe in everything you shared and the story about the starfish. Well I guess most people nowadays are getting more busy to be rich instead of being a part of something like a cause, a charity or anything that’s worthwhile. And even when they get old they still crave for something more and the wanting never stop. I hope more people could read this one and realize everything they could possibly do out of their talents and share it with the others, just like what you are doing now. All the best!
I think it’s an act of courage to express your wise thoughts in a formpills of wisdom in each post. Lovely story! ♥
In education on a child,the truth is the primary means for fostering honesty and correctness and I think we can not educate a child as a parents if we are not well educated.
A very interesting situation is when we say “you are a child of any age!” Even if you have 20, 30, 40, 50, .. for years there was a child there in you, that children have always been in you.
If you’re a man/woman and all life you where a serious person, with a serious haircut, and suddenly, at 40 you, you want to change your look and let your hair grow, even wanting to make a big tail, is this not mean that your child from you wants to go outside, to take a fresh breath of fresh air? I think, Yes!
I think all the kids wanted to grow faster. I’ve waited my whole life to grow, to feel one adult and one time I came so hard in this role that I forgot to actually being a child. I’ve judge all very hard for any mistake, whether small or large. I feel that everything must be done perfectly, but I realise that nobody was able to be perfect.
Probably I’m wrong but always I felt the need to remain half woman and half child and finally I did it. Smiles . We need childish things in our life too .. because if we become too serious, looking to live to serious .. we forget to enjoy of every moment from our lifes.
All these things ( the last part)I learned from a child.A boy. :)
Wishing you the best and don’t forget never the kid from you! Smiles
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Kisess & Hugs& Thanks!
Dy,
Good to see you are still writing, great article as always and have missed you!
Blessings;
Crystal
Eloquently written and it rings so true. :) I’ve heard the starfish story before and I love it!!
Thanks Tricia. I had a great summer with the kids. They are a wonder to behold and I enjoyed every minute I spent playing with them.
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A wonderful memory for you! There are so many of us adults that need the reminder to see the world with the eyes of a child. As some have said, it gives that spark, that appreciation of what is, and allows us to form relationships that rest on the simple beauty we see. My favorite memories of spending long summer nights with my own children are now being complemented wonderfully by time with my grandchildren. What a blessing to be ever-present to their innocence and wonder!
I have a mental album of wonder filled memories and there will be more to add this summer again. I can’t wait! :)
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