This week, the University of Louisville is on fall break. While we only receive two days, everyone on campus is buzzing about having some free time to do the most important things for a college kid: catch up on homework, attend a party or two, and finally do laundry. I, too, would have followed suit -- until I received a phone call from my mother a few days before break. With two sentences, she flipped all of my plans upside down.
“Mace, I just booked your flight to Orlando. How does Disney World sound?”
As it turns out, my family back home will be off the same time I will be -- which only happens once in a blue moon. They’ll be traveling to Disney World and my mother -- bless her heart -- purchased me a ticket to join for part of the week. Without hesitation, I was fist pumping and shouting, "I'm going to Disney," complete with a little crying and a lot of awkward dance. Truly, I was overwhelmed with excitement at the prospect of being at one of my favorite places in a few days’ time. Needless to say, I got a ton of strange looks as I skipped through campus back to my apartment.
From an outsider’s perspective, I realize my reaction was pretty childish. Disney World? Really? That’s how I’ll be spending my “productive” fall break -- a time for catching up and getting ahead? Instantly, I felt a little guilty. I would never have time to devote to my schoolwork, and whatnot, if I’m spending all of it frolicking around an amusement park.
College has been described many times as a strange gap of time in life when one is caught in the transition between childhood and adulthood -- equally excited by both trips to ice cream shops and pretty area rugs for the apartment while not willing to admit being excited by one or the other. But it seems that everyone expects us to fall into one category or the other, and more often than not, the world demands us college students to just accept adulthood already. We are pushed more towards fitting in that box every day, no longer allowed to live with one foot in each world. We pay our bills. We live on our own. We (attempt to) cook our own food.
But, honestly, who decided we have to choose? Why do we have to be either one or the other? Why can’t I pay my rent for my apartment and also cry tears of joy because I’m going to Disney World without being judged?
So this week, I’m challenging that view. Hanging on to our childhood is so important because it has so many lessons that are just as wise and useful as those we receive in during adulthood. So here are seven of those lessons that I hope to keep with me for the rest of my life.
1. Kids love unconditionally.
Prejudice is taught, not inherited. Children love and forgive easily despite race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.
2. Kids get excited.
They don’t keep emotions in check or worry about how they’ll appear to others; they feel with all of themselves and express those feelings without hesitation.
3. Kids never stop dreaming.
Children are creative and hopeful and they never let the word “no” deter them. They pursue what they want, when they want, and how they want. They don’t think they can be anything, they know they can.
4. Kids appreciate the simple things.
It doesn’t take a grand gesture to get their attention, or to make them happy. They like parks and popsicles and warm hugs.
5. Kids believe in magic.
They believe in possibility. They believe in a beautiful, good world with love and opportunities. They believe wholeheartedly in absurdities and impossible things.
6. Kids are honest.
They tell it how it is and hold nothing back. They aren’t cunning or strategic, they lack tact and a lot of social skills, but you always know where you stand with a child.
7. Kids don’t forget to laugh.
They laugh at movies and funny faces and each other. But most important, they aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves.
So, you all, enjoy your studies. I’ll be reading my textbook, too. I’ll just be doing so on my way to the Happiest Place On Earth.
