avatarMary Chang Story Writer

Summary

The website content discusses the joy children find in discovering and creating "happy faces" in nature, which can inspire wonder and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

Abstract

The article "Nature's Happy Faces" explores the delight children experience when they find faces in inanimate objects in nature, such as rocks and moss. It emphasizes that children are naturally inclined to seek out and recognize these happy faces before adults, and their excitement upon discovery is palpable. The author, Mary Chang, reflects on how these natural occurrences of happy faces can bring smiles to everyone's faces, encouraging adults to learn from children the art of wonder, pause, and reflection. The article is accompanied by photographs capturing children's interactions with these smiling faces in nature, reinforcing the message of finding joy in the simple things. Mary Chang, an award-winning writer, shares her passion for happy faces in art, nature, and humanity, and invites readers to explore her blog and popular stories on Medium.

Opinions

  • Children have a unique ability to find happiness in nature's formations, often seeing faces in objects like rocks and moss.
  • The discovery of these natural happy faces by children leads to an immediate and visceral reaction of joy and excitement.
  • Adults can learn from children to appreciate the beauty and whimsy in nature, which can inspire wonder and delight.
  • The act of finding happy faces in nature is seen as a way to foster curiosity and a sense of awe in both children and adults.
  • The author believes that our children are our teachers when it comes to pausing and reflecting on the marvels of the natural world.
  • Mary Chang's writing is inspired by various aspects of life, including exercise, life lessons, parenting, and humor, and she encourages others to find their own sources of inspiration and joy.
“Moss Smile on a Rock” Photo by the author.

Photography, Nature, Happiness

Nature’s Happy Faces

Children will find them before you do.

Children love making “happy faces.” They love drawing them in pencil with three strokes — two dots for the eyes and a swooshy curve for the mouth. They explore ways to create them in their artwork with paint, crayon, scissors & paper, playdough, fabric, leaves, twigs, and rocks.

The most extraordinary happy faces are the ones they discover in nature. Children will be the first ones to seek them out and find them before the adults do. They scream with delight, their breath becomes faster, and then they quiet down so they can hold on tight to their discovery like a secret treasure — for 5 precious seconds — until they run away to tell the adults in their lives about it.

When we all see happy faces, it brings a smile to our faces, whether through art, our earth, or human beings — it inspires wonder, delight, and curiosity. Our children are the quintessential teachers to show us how to wonder, pause, and reflect — to appreciate the awe and beauty created in nature.

“Boy & Smiling Rock.” Photo by author.
“Girl & Smiling Rock.” Photo by author.
“Big Rock Smile & a Wink” Photo by author.

About the Author

Mary Chang is an award-winning short story fiction writer, memoir writer, and blogger. She’s also a parent, fitness enthusiast and loves happy faces in art, nature, and human beings. Fueled by cartwheels, laughter, and encouraging others to shine. Read her blog at www.marychangstorywriter.com.

Her writing is inspired by exercise, life lessons, parenting, writing, humor, and people. You can read her most popular Medium stories below.

Photography
Parenting
Nature
Happiness
This Happened To Me
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