Young Sages

I have my moments where I feel as though I’ve learned everything that I’m capable of learning. At times, it seems like all the knowledge that I currently need is at hand. While I have recently been operating off of this perspective, I see the detrimental consequences in allowing this mentality to guide your daily activities. Quite frankly, you prevent yourself from progressing as a human being, essentially, closing doors and blinding yourself of opportunities that lay before you.

My recent yet foolish approach to life had never been more apparent then the two weekends that I spent with my niece and nephew this month. At two and five years old, I’ve was taken by their boundless curiosity that makes them smile, makes their eyes widen and intrigues them to ask the questions of why something is the way it is? They’re taking their initial steps of becoming cognizant of the world through their first experiences and discovery of their talents; while above all else, enjoying every moment of the journey. At the end of the day, any restrictions and limits hold no weight against their will to discover the treasures hidden amongst them. Each and every day, they stand to gain everything and much like them, closing the door to open mindedness and curiosity too early leaves a vacancy where knowledge and experience could be.

What was also really striking was my nephew’s ability to live life not having the great deal of expectations that we’ve learned through social conventions. I think a lot of our unhappiness stems from, at times, many unattainable expectations that we have for ourselves or the expectations we’ve learned from social expectations of “normality.” I’ve always been an advocate of going against what other people expect or want from you but sometimes you get so wrapped up and temporarily swept away. It’s refreshing to see how carefree and uninhibited by social cues we can be, sometimes we need a little reminder.

To these young sages, they are completely satisfied with unconditional love and being able to explore words, ideas or objects that trigger their synapses and spark questions. All the material things that a lot of us consume to bring us happiness or higher social status means absolutely nothing--you can see it in their eyes. I’m glad to be able to relearn life’s most basic treasures through the eyes of these kids as they learn everything for their first time.