Category: English

Kids are by nature curious. They are fascinated by everything and all is of interest. They want to touch and taste everything in their path. It doesn’t matter the color or size; they want to know more about their world.

In our infinite intelligence, we teach youngsters limits to what they can, and cannot do. While in theory this makes sense and it is important to give direction to children, particularly when it comes to their safety, this learning process frequently inhibits the natural curiosity of a kid.

We tell them:

“Don’t do that!”

“Don’t touch that!”

“Don’t ask so many questions!”

Unconsciously, we limit one of the primary tools we all have to confront and overcome challenge. Life is not a problem to be resolved, rather a challenge to be enjoyed. One of the best ways to face what we commonly call problems is with curiosity of a kid which allows us to generate a wide range of solutions.

Our experience teaches us “the best way to do something.” Unless someone or something shows us a better way to do it, we will continue doing the same. Similar actions will always produce similar results. If these results are what we desire, we are on our way and no change is necessary! If not, we can change what we do to achieve different results.

This same curiosity, with which we are all born and frequently lose as adults, can be the key to achieve that which we most desire. Looking for new ways of doing things implies a degree of risk. The same way a child takes risk whenever they reach out to touch something, we also take risk whenever we try to do something new.

The fear of taking risk and failing tends to be bigger than the reward. We are taught as youngsters to be “perfect.” A “good kid” is one who does as he or she is told and who remains within the boundaries set by society. While this behavior is useful to maintain order, it is not the best for finding new solutions.

It is common at this time of year to evaluate what we did last year and contemplate what we would like to accomplish in the coming year. This assessment often indicates we should begin to do something different or concentrate on a project which has been left in limbo. Generally, we all know what we should do though it’s not what we know rather what we do with what we know which is most important!

Maintaining the curiosity of a kid allows us to see the world as if for the first time. Looking for new solutions to common challenges opens the door to new horizons. When we stop doing what we have always done out of convenience, we create new roads which lead to new destinations. While taking the road less traveled implies bumping into unexpected obstacles from time to time, it also results in a life full of emotion and adventure rather than drudgery and discomfort.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 7

 

We learn from everything. With our infinite wisdom we can learn from the simplest things. The earth provides a magnificent mechanism which propagates life. Though it doesn’t always provide an easy path, it does provide all we require for abundance.

Let’s take the example of a tree which begins with a seed, in itself the result of a “perfect” process of fertilization. The seed falls to form, or takes a ride on the wings of the wind. When it arrives to its destination it immediately encounters adversity. Fate frequently deals its fatal blow as it is devoured by a bird or other animal. In the best case scenario the wind and the rain provide what is necessary for it to become great and glorious.

The first days and weeks of life are crucial for its growth. An animal can destroy the seedling’s destiny by simply running over it while evading an enemy. A storm can wreak its wicked wrath wiping it out in an instant. As strange as it seems, this adversity strengthens the tree. If it does not experience adversity, it fails to form a support system of roots to support it through difficulty.

Throughout, the tree perseveres in the most difficult of circumstances and is, in fact, fortified with each new adversity. While it is true a tree does not think and is not tenacious by choice, it is so by nature. We can learn much from this tenacity to overcome difficulty in our own lives.

We frequently think of adversity which lurks around each corner as something negative to be endured. We flee discomfort and seek refuge in comfort. Nevertheless, it is adversity which molds our character. Those who have never faced adversity are often devoid of significance and emotion. While some would like to live with a little less significance and emotion, these very elements give us sustenance to carry on in the face of adversity.

Thousands of trees surround us, each special with its own history of survival. Similarly, each of us is also special, all products of a process of natural selection which carefully contemplates each adversity defining our being. Instead of fleeing from adversity we can look at it with The Tenacity of a Tree to garner inner strength on this fantastic voyage.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 6