Last week we got a quick glimpse of the promise of spring. Birds were chirping, the sun was warm and bright, snow was melting, and snow pants were replaced with splash pants to play in muddy puddles for a few days. The feeling of renewal, change and hope began to fill my soul, only to be quickly frozen in the mud once again. Another huge amount of beautiful but troublesome snow arrived to remind us that winter is not ready to leave just yet.
Review columnist Laura Barton believes we could all learn to live life a little differently if we paid more attention to how children make the most out of their days. Photo: Laura Barton
Lately I’ve been feeling stuck in the middle of a frozen pond of mud. Trying to be pulled out, but not knowing which direction to lean towards. Not knowing what projects to tackle next, or what the best plan of action for each day should be. Life seems to be frozen in a repetitive repeat, and it’s hard to find the drive to make my own decisions and sometimes even get the simplest and most necessary tasks accomplished with my normal energy and joy.
As the mud started to thaw, that sense of hope and renewal began to give me the strength to feel like I could fly straight upwards out of the muddy pond growing inside my brain. Fly away from the undecided choices and go to a place of high ground. Somewhere where there are no struggles threatening to rip your soul in half. No fear or frustrations. A place where my sense of purpose and positivity can be returned.
But, returning to reality, I am fully aware that the place I long for, must be created in my real bubble. Running away to an imaginary land wouldn’t solve anything. So instead, I ask myself, “How can I pull myself out of the dark frozen mud on my own, without being torn to pieces?”
My solution; focusing on my tiny human. He is the most special gift I have ever been given. He brings light and joy to everyone around him. He has no fear of what is happening outside of the world he knows – completely unaware of the unknown future many of us adults fear. He is someone who can truly just focus on living in the moment, who finds peace and bliss from his beloved animals. Studying them, being completely fascinated when they eat and poop, gaining a simple understanding of how the digestion system works even at the young age of two.
He can quickly overcome his shyness of strangers. He does not judge people he sees and gives a big hello to everyone he passes at the grocery store. He asks for help from whoever is closest at a friend gathering, whether he knows the person or not. His biggest concern when he wakes up in the morning is whether he’ll be able to go play with his cooler toys at grandma and grandpa’s instead of being stuck at home with mommy. These are traits we as adults should focus on more. Bringing back the less judgmental, easier going, less stressed personalities from our childhoods.
I think we could all learn to live life a little differently if we paid more attention to how our children make the most out of their days. The best way for me to get out of the frozen pond is to focus on things which make me happy. To agree to disagree with others and respect their opinions, talk about positive topics, climb snow hills and laugh together. Enjoy simple moments of peace, staring off at something that’s intriguing, like pooping animals, or the stars in the sky.
Some days are harder than others, but it is important that we don’t lose our sense of self, well-being and positive thinking. The warmer days will come and soon we will all by flying out of our frozen ponds. Looking forward to the new life spring brings, new projects, and new adventures.
We can’t stay frozen in time forever, even if Mother Nature seems to think it’s necessary again!
