“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are 7 million.” – author Walt Streightiff
Children have the amazing ability to live life fearlessly, with unencumbered zest, hope, and curiosity. Here’s what we can learn from our children, to bring more happiness, grace, and kindness into all of our lives:
- Finding joy in simple pleasures: Catching a ball, some quality sibling playtime, a friendly ‘hello’ from a passing stranger – these are little things that bring a smile to Amelia Sachiko, the youngest child of the Thomson-Guevara household. Read more about this bundle of joy here, and spread happiness to strangers by waving at them, just the way she does!
2. Being fearless: Joachim Isaac couldn’t follow simple instructions when he was younger and was often shunned by his peers and their parents. But he’s never let the negativity get him down. He had the courage to rise above, developing his artistic and sporting talents in his own time. Today, he is an extraordinary artist and a competent swimmer. Get energized by his story here.
3. Never giving up: Meet a young girl with the heart of a lion, Fahsai Saejang. She was born with a hole in her heart and needed medication on a daily basis. As a toddler, she got breathless easily and couldn’t take part in any physical activity. Little did everyone know that she would one day become a drummer, cheerleader, and athlete. She’s determined not to let anything get in her way!
4. The resilience to pick yourself up after you fall: After Abdul Mannan lost his father, grandfather, and brother in a tragic fire, he was the only ray of hope in his mother’s life. The 10-year-old suffered major burns in the fire and had to undergo several operations and countless follow-up treatments. But he never gave up. Today, he has beaten the odds and grown into a cheerful and confident child. The ability to dust yourself off when you fall, jump back up, and find happiness is a valuable lesson for us all!
5. No dream is too big: Meet Anusorn Prabkraisi lovingly called Mai. He grew up without a father figure and didn’t have many friends to play ball with. But that didn’t stop him from working towards his dream of becoming a footballer. Today, he plays for his school’s football team and hopes to one day represent Thailand at the Special Olympics. He practices at home almost every day with his mother, and loves the sport so much he even wears football attire to bed!
Children are able to find joy and inspiration in the simple things we take for granted as adults, surprising us with their spirit and strength. Wouldn’t life be so much more wonderful if we could all soak up these valuable lessons and let our inner child come alive?
