As in stepping and hopping, not as in missing something.¬† Though if you try this experiment, you may find that you’ve been missing something.
It doesn’t matter where you do it (e.g. in public or private), but skip for a minute or so.¬† Do you feel self-conscious? Giddy? Do you even remember how?¬† If skipping isn’t your game, then try doing something else that is a kid-thing, that you once loved but haven’t really tried since your childhood.
It seems like society does its best to smother the child out of us–not just the parts which would make us seem irresponsible in the adult world, but all the wonder and innocence and joie de vivre that are intertwined.¬† As a parent I feel like I’m complicit in this project.¬† At the same time, one of the great joys of parenting is that my children remind me how I once saw the world.
In retrospect, it seems that much of my life is a fight to preserve my sense of wonder and creative joy against serious-minded adults who would teach me how I should feel wonder, what is appropriate. They see my childlike actions and expressions (they would say child-ish) and assume that I am irresponsible and easily dismissed.  Could the same be said for others who choose to pursue their dreams even if they are not financially productive or secure?  For those who take their creative impulses seriously?  Those who choose to abandon the religions of their youth?  Those who feel like social misfits?
Whoa.¬† Wasn’t expecting to go there.¬† But I skipped recently, and felt both giddy and self-conscious.¬† I’m ready to do it again.
On another subject, how is everyone doing with their Lenten commitments?¬† I’m doing well with my vegetarian goal.¬† I’m allowing myself a weekly fish fix (not limited to Fridays).¬† I’m not doing as well on my decision to be more meditative.¬† I’ll emphasize that this week.
4 responses so far ↓
1 nee // Feb 28, 2007 at 8:41 am
I probably skip at least once a year. In many ways I was robbed of a happy childhood so I’m finding it in assorted ways as an adult. I try to keep a balance of enjoying it without being juvenile. (Read: Tis better to be childlike without being childish. Tis better to be like a child enjoying simple pleasures than a reckless teenager. lol)
I have not eaten meat from 4 footed creatures. That was my primary lent commitment. I’ve succeeded and have increased organics as a whole. Been trying out recipes from VegCooking and it’s been fun to cook again. The crockpot vegetarian chili is excellent.
2 Miko // Feb 28, 2007 at 10:04 am
I actually skip pretty often…usually when I want s/t with a childish desire or when I get it. There’s also sometimes bouncing involved… My cousin and I often overtake playgrounds and creep out kids & dults alike. We’ve done this since we were kids & now that we’re dults, we see no good reason to stop. Swings are the major draw, but even slides and those horses-on-springs will do.
The Moosehead restaurant somewhere back east has a bunch of books out that are all vegetarian. My step-half-aunt-in-law and her husband (my step-half-uncle-in-law-in-law) are veggie with occasional exceptions for fish, and love those books. I like the Monestary Kitchen series. While not always veggie, they’re very simple and make me feel like I’m doing the foods justice when I cook them. I’m not sure if that makes sense…the feeling of repecting the foods I’m using by letting them be themselves, rather than cover them in spices and other ingredients.
3 Tammy Takahashi // Feb 28, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Reading this post made me giddy.
We spend so much time doing the things required of adults - taking care of things. When do we get to just let go and have fun?
Having fun as adults doesn’t have to be going to bars or seeing a movie or playing golf (although those can be indeed fun). Having fun can be through silly play, being nutty and stepping up and dancing even if we don’t have rhythm.
Children have fun because they aren’t self conscious. Playing like children is a way to open ourselves up to the universe and be accepting, non judgemental and in the moment. I love that!
My kids are little, so they give me lots of chances to be silly. I so enjoy being silly with them. It’s infectious.
When I hear the term “aging gracefully”, what I think about is exactly what you describe here - becoming the responsible adult that we are expected to be, while embracing the child within us to fully enjoy being alive and who we are.
Thanks for this post. It made me smile.
4 John // Feb 28, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Thanks for the veggie recommendations! We have the Moosewood cookbook, and we have a wonderful veggie restaurant within walking distance.
Tammy, thank you for your kind words.
And you hit upon one of the key childlike attributes: minimal self-consciousness (which strikes with a vengeance in those teen years…)
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