I was recently returning to work after being out on an afternoon job when I passed a primary school. Being lunch time, I looked out to see a sea of little people playing and doing whatever it is children do at lunch time these days.
As I got closer, I noticed right on the fence line of the busy road was four girls. Each time someone would drive past they would wave and do a crazy dance. It made me smile, but it also got me to thinking about the boldness and the honesty of a child.
When was the last time you had to remind your child of what they were good at?
I mean, when was the last time you had to wonder if your five-year-old was politely enduring the food you gave them in appreciation of the time you spent cooking it?
Or make them sing to their favourite song?
These are simply not familiar concepts when it comes to children.
I think the boldness and honesty of a child are simply underrated.
I only have to be around my nieces and nephews for a minute to witness these qualities in their fullness.
As we know children are all about showing you what they can do and telling you what they know and how good they are at everything. And best of all — they say it like it is.
If I am ever needing an honest opinion, I know it is the little people who do it best — I know they are not caught up in thinking of a polite way to avoid the truth — they are fine to say exactly what they think ... I love it.
While it is definitely imperative that each individual develops a filter and gets to a point in life where they know when and when not to say what is on their mind, I think that is something that is developed naturally for most, but I also think that with that ability and maturity also comes unwanted traits that many of us take on involuntarily.
As adults, it is all too often to witness low self-esteem, insecurities, fear or simply a lack of fun — whether that be in ourselves or others around us.
I understand as adults we have more responsibilities than any child could ever comprehend, plus a far greater understanding of the world and people in general, which can affect us and our thought patterns, particularly in our self-image and perspectives on life. But as adults I think if we would just take a leaf out of the little people’s book — how different things could look.
I know for me personally there are countless things I could have or would do differently if not for the unwanted traits of adulthood.
Far too many times I have retracted from belting out a good song when it comes on the radio while I am doing my shopping or from dancing when it’s just one of those songs that makes you move.
I have not tried something out of fear of failure ... I have worried about what people thought about me ... the list goes on.
Often I have found myself on the edge of walking in a child’s footsteps — so closely considering just letting go of my insecurities and doing the unthinkable — but it only takes a moment for my adult brain to remind me of my grown-up self.
But in pondering on this in recent times I am beginning to think if a child can live life in such freedom, then why can’t I?
So if you see a crazy lady dancing down the aisles of Riverside Coles, do not be alarmed, it is only me taking back my childhood traits.
Laura Briggs is a News journalist.
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