I experienced something the other day that I think everyone should have at some point in their life.
I was humbled by a kid.
Here I was, on my way across the bridge to Bata for a coffee, grumbling to myself about how early it was and that I had an exam in less than two hours...and there's kids everywhere. Which, might I add, is something I'm used to at work as a lifeguard, but is a rare occurrence on the Trent Symons Campus.
Kids running, playing, screaming. And strangely, they seemed to almost fit; like birds, they moved this way and that, in flocks, alone, up, down, left, right, squealing and chirping and singing. There was one boy standing on the bridge with his friends, staring wide-eyed at the Otonabee River and Bata Library, with all it's bustling university students. Then he turns to one of his friends and says,
"Wow! I wish we could be here every day."
Just like that. Completely humbled me to the core. But more on that later.
I love kids for this simple reason; you can learn so much from them, if you just let yourself. I realized that half the time, kids have no idea what they're saying or implicating, but just being around a child that just is can be an eye-opening experience.
People say that kids are the innocent and untainted members of our society. Yes, this much is true. But the opposite, however, is not. I don't think adults are uncensored version of children -- rather, children are the uncensored version of adults.
Who hasn't had the embarrassing, yet hilarious experience with a kid who points at the person in line in front of you and says loudly, "Why does that man have such a big belly?" or "Why does that old lady look like she's bald?"
Kids don't really have a filter yet, so when they speak, things come out exactly how they're meant. Which, as we can see, can be a good and a bad thing. But I appreciate honesty. So many adults use that filter far too much.
Sometimes I look at a kid and wish so badly that I could be one of them again; to have absolutely nothing to do all day but run around and experience things. I have two younger cousins (whom are really more like nieces, as one is my Goddaughter) and I love taking them places just to see the looks on their faces when they see something new. The wide-eyed look of wonder, the smiles that could light up a black hole...what an awesome thing! And they ask the best questions, too. I don't know how many times my cousin has asked me a question I didn't know the answer to. But you know, I always make it my goal to find out.
It has always been said that our children are our future. That has never been more true.
But people are also saying that the upcoming generation of children are lazy, overweight, and far too engaged with the media.
This is a problem easily fixed.
Take a kid. Put him outside. Watch.
It's amazing just to see what kids will do outside -- things you would have never thought to do as an adult, but now that you see a little guy or girl do it, you wonder why you hadn't. Why not peek into a rabbit hole, do a pike jump off of a dock, climb to the top of a tree? Why not make man out of rocks, a dress out of seaweed, a home for a duck?
Kids love being outside; we just need to give them more opportunity to get out there and see the world. And with that world will come an appreciation for it. Every child should have the opportunity to camp or spend a few devoted days to exploring outside. Kids will grow up and miss the fields and lakes of their childhood and protect them, especially if they realize that past generations have monopolized such land and made such grave mistakes. I have nothing but faith!
As for the kid on the bridge...
He reminded me of something that I try not to forget; that being outside is a privilige. Enjoying nice weather and a beautiful view is something to be appreciated. How many students go across that bridge each day without giving their lives so much of a thought, and this kid is wishing for the very thing we take for granted! Going to university itself is something to be thankful for every day. Going to university to maintain the environment is possibly the best thing I could be doing with my time right now!
So thanks, little man, for making my day. I have no doubt you'll do us proud in the future.
Everyone reading -- your assignment for the week; act like a kid!
Two of my friends enjoying the sunset on Founder's Walk.
Very insightful. You point out many things people take for granted and often ignore. Hopefully this will inspire some mother to listen to her child when they're 'incessantly' asking questions at the dinner table, rather than ignoring them. I feel like I should go watch some kid shows from the 90s to get into that mind frame now :)
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