A popular saying goes something like: “Out of the mouths of babes…” As adults, we often become so preoccupied with to-do-lists, chores, planning for tomorrow, bills, work. etc. Your blood pressure may have increased just reading that list! It can be really easy to look past the simple experiences around us- the childlike experiences around us.

I recently was able to spend some quality time with a five year old at a nearby park. I was amazed by her experience of the world. She was entranced by every blade of grass, pebble, and animal that came into her awareness. There was such a freshness to her observations, as if she had never before seen a duck or even a pigeon. I watched as she gleefully ran through the park exploring all the treasures it had to offer- treasures I scarcely notice without her. On the way home, it was sunset. She looked up at the purple, orange, and blue sky and remarked at how beautiful it was. She then took my hand and asked if we could sit down right where we were on the sidewalk to watch the sun go down.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see the world with the same freshness? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could stop for a moment, like this five year old, and really see the beauty around us? As we grow and mature, we may let adulthood and life responsibilities steal this from us. I work with many of my clients on reclaiming this childlike wonder mainly by being mindful to the present moment. This five year old excelled at mindfulness that day! Mindfulness is one of the main tenents of Dialectical Behavior Therapy developed by Marsha M. Linehan. How aware are you of your experience of the present moment? How do your thoughts, emotions, and physical awareness of your body effect the present moment? How much of your life do you miss because you are perseverating over the past or projecting too far into the future? What qualities would you like to reclaim from your childhood self to more fully experience the gift of today? Maybe open-mindedness, fearlessness, compassion? Maybe today is the day to sit on the sidewalk and watch the sun set for the first time all over again.