"You are obsessed with Minnie Mouse? That's childish!" This is a phrase I have come to learn a lot since leaving the "Disney Bubble" but the truth is, that's not childish at all. The magic of Disney or the happiness of life's simple things aren't childish but child-like.
My girlfriend has severe anxiety and with this she is drawn to anything mint-green. Wither it's a simple pen or mug or even hair clip, she will run to it giggling and smiling. Others may look at her and judge her for being "childish" but that's not the case at all.
Being "childish" is to be immature; however, being "child-like" is to have good qualities and joys of a child.
One time when I was at Target with a couple of friends when all of the sudden, I slipped. Flat. On. My. Butt. And all my friends began to laugh. At first I was humiliated. Why were they making fun of me? Could have whined and insisted they stopped but I didn't. Instead, I took a deep breath, laughed with them and continued to make a joke of how sometimes, as an alien, when I inhabit a new human body it takes me a while to remember how they function.
Heartbreaking news : I'm not an alien! BUT that is the difference between being "childish" and "child-like".
As humans I think we are quick to judge someone for being "childish" and for "not acting their age" when in reality they are just keeping the kid in them alive.
As being "child-like" we keep our eyes open to the simple joys in life; such as, Minnie Mouse or mint green. We are able to laugh at our mistakes and learn from them.
As being "child-like" we keep the magic in our world, alive.
Sure, I may buy gifts and stash them under the tree but whose to say that Santa didn't sprinkle some extra magic on them? Or that the Easter Bunny snuck extra chocolate in my basket so I'd eat five pieces instead of four... err hundred pieces.
With being "child-like" we can enjoy all these moments of happiness but that doesn't make us a bratty, immature kids who goes around telling people that ghosts aren't real. Those kids, the ones who forget to believe, loose being "child-like".
So, yes I am Minnie Mouse trash. Yes, when my girlfriend sees mint green she takes off running and that's a true gift.
An important lesson in life is to remember if you keep the childe alive in you, you will see a world of "pure-imagination. You will become part of the magic. You will have many adventures. But most importantly you will be able to sit on the floor at seventy years old, with your grandchildren playing games and still feel young enough to yell, "You loose, sucker!"
