How Imitating Children We Can Be Stronger

The best lesson I learned from my children

Children see magic because they look for it!

Being in these times of crisis for the pandemic taught me a lot of things that I wasn’t aware of it. The idea that I have to be at home after have been working for more than twenty years was scary. Before, I used to have not too many days to enjoy the family, and it was normal life for me. The idea of working to make money and have a decent life was always a priority.

I remember the first two weeks were hard. I didn’t know what to do with my daughters. I tried to practice yoga at home, but it wasn’t possible with two small girls at home. The youngest was on top of me; meanwhile, the older behind me, she was taking my legs. I quit yoga but actually was a nice experience.

I love going to the gym; it is a moment when I can wear my headphones listening to a nice audiobook and being with myself at least three times a week. That was a must. But since the gym is closed for months, I have tried to do crunches at home and again failed. If I wanted to do crunches, I have to wait for the daily nap of my daughters. The last choice was going out for a run, which I’m not a big fan of it.

“Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built.” — James Dobson

After two weeks, I started to have my first real conversation with my older daughter, she is 3 years old, she told me:

Papi, I love you, I don’t want you to come back to work. I replied, So if I will not work anymore, my love, who is going to make money to buy your avocado, your oat milk, your cucumber, and your carrots? She went to her small kitchen and took something from her plastic glass and approached me. She opened her right palm and said: Papi, look, I have a lot of money, showing me a couple of coins, you don’t need to work anymore. It was a life-changing at that moment. I almost cried.

“While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about.” — Angela Schwindt

From that moment, I started to focus more on what she said. That made me reflect on how beautiful and innocent the children are. How perfect nature is. And the most important why we should listen to our children more often.

We can learn so much from them. How to enjoy life with small things, without thinking about consequences, say whatever we want without thinking of judgment. Be transparent and honest, like no one. And how beautiful life can be if we start to imitate them, at least in small things.

The Power Of Children Behaviour

“The child inside of you knows how to take things as they come, how to deal most effectively and happily with everything and everyone it encounters on this planet. If you can recapture that childlike essence of your being, you can stay ‘forever young at heart” — Wayne Dyer

There’s a certain wonder in childhood that’s easily forgotten as we grow up. Just take a look at how kids eat bread. Many of them go straight for the center, picking out the soft bit with their hands before throwing the crust to one side. As a parent, you might find that sort of behavior more than a little annoying.

But there’s actually much to be said for children’s unapologetic liking for what gives them more joy.

As adults, we should imitate children in order to relearn to love life. You should think about all the energy that we waste doing things we hate, whether it is paying bills, updating resumes, filling our task form, or just worrying about everything. These things just drain the fun out of life.

Of course, some of those things have to be done, but that doesn’t mean you should invest any more than the absolute minimum of attention in them.

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” — James Baldwin

An excellent way to shift your focus away from the drudgery of these day to day tasks is to remind yourself of what you actually like to do.

If you are struggling to remember what it is your enjoyment, take a little inspiration from children. Reconnect with your inner child. Eating ice cream, rollerblading, dressing up, or playing with your pet are all activities you can enjoy no matter your age.

Realize how creative they are, and why you should imitate them. Children never think that someone will judge them. They don’t care if they failed. They keep trying without thinking about anyone and always trying to overcome the obstacles. Is that not enough to think that we should learn from them?

Remember, You should aim to find personal fulfillment and live your life to its full value. Acting like a child sometimes leads to jumping into projects without thinking of the consequences.

Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate. They inspired me to make this post and the most crucial part, whatever they do they always enjoy the process.

Think about it.

Thank You For Reading!

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Godofredo Rojas is a writer, chef, and constant learner from Peru. He studied in Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru. He moved to New York in March 2011. You can find him on Facebook and Twiter.

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