Many remember their childhood as a time in their life that was full of wonder and awe. For most, it is a happy time full of love, imagination, and positivity. Children are known for having big hearts and possessing an unconditional love for all, from the smallest ant to their family, friends, and even strangers. The relationship between children and strangers has always been an interesting one to think about. Naturally, children would find no reason to be cautious in the presence of strangers. Why would they be? In their world, they believe that everyone is kind and caring individuals, just like all of the others who they have met. Why would a stranger be any different?
Of course, any adult would be quick to warn a child of the potential dangers of strangers and rightfully so. It is better to be safe than sorry. It seems like a no-brainer for adults to steer clear of potential threats and to protect children, but why wouldn’t children know better? Yes, children are new to this world and surely lack the experiences that adults have, but it is also important to acknowledge where the child’s wonder comes from.
Children have a sense of purity and positivity. They believe that everyone is kind, even strangers. They believe that on rainy days the sun will always come out and they feel a certain sense of optimism in every aspect of life. Some may call it being sheltered and some may call it ignorance. Whatever you equate it to, there is no doubt that seeing life through the eyes of a child is like wearing rose colored glasses.
As we get older the rose color fades and we are forced to see the world for what it truly is. From our childhood we transition to our adolescent years. This is where we often first encounter some of the darker sides of the world like heartbreaks, the loss of friends, and we may even have our first encounter with death. As we grow older, we notice that the news is filled with accounts of violence, poverty, and civil unrest. Each of these realizations can harden our once pure and positive hearts and cause us to become more negative and pessimistic than our childhood selves were. The challenge as we age is in how to channel our childlike view of the world, one full of positivity and love, and still acknowledge the darker parts.
It’s about perspective. It’s true that bad things do happen and that one needs to be cautious, but one also needs to remember that the majority of the world is full of good. You can open your hearts and minds to the light in so many ways by simply changing your attitude to be a little more positive. On a rainy day, instead of being gloomy and hoping for the sun, throw on your rain boots and go puddle jumping. The next time that you are stuck in traffic late to work, throw on your favorite song and sing-along. Strike up a conversation when you're in an elevator with a stranger.
Sometimes circumstances may not be ideal, but you cannot change them. What you can do is change your outlook. “You cannot change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust the sails.” So, instead of seeing a gray, dull world, put on your rose colored glasses and look through the eyes of a child. You’ll be surprised by what you find.
