Hero #032: Children — i.e. toddlers … (05/02/16)
In the Bible (Matthew 18:3), Jesus supposedly makes the bold (and at first ponder, slightly bizarre) claim that, “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) I mention this verse here because the word commonly translated as “children” herein is actually the Greek word “paidia” (Gk 3813), which means not merely “any young person between the ages of birth and puberty” — as most cultures commonly understand the term biologically, or “any young person below the age of self responsibility” — as most cultures understand the term legally. No, when we look at how this word was most commonly used when the Gospel of Matthew was written, we discover that — at least at that time — “paidia” actually meant “a very young child”, or “a toddler” (or in some cases, even “an infant”) … And it is these “children” I choose to honor now.
*I choose to honor them for being able to know Calm in any storm …
[“It’s naptime now, Mr. Scaughdt … Not time for being upset.”]
*I choose to honor them for being able to think way outside the box …
[“No, Mr. Scaughdt … We need to stack the blocks like THIS.”]
*& I choose to honor them for knowing what it means to really share, to really forgive, to really care, and to really Love. [“Here, Mr. Scaughdt … Would you like some of my muffin?”]
So, if anyone out there reading this has forgotten what your True Self resembles — if anyone has forgotten what your true potential is & what your real Purpose looks like in everyday life, simply spend a few minutes watching, or listening to, or chatting with any small child. As you do so, you will not be able to help but remember to the the awesome Human(e) Being you were, reawaken to the incredible Human(e) being you still are, and realize the amazing Human(e) Being you could become again.
Amen … Let it be so.
“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” ~ Terri (age 4)
“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen.” ~ Bobby (age 7)
“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” ~ Tommy (age 6)
“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” ~ Mary Ann (age 4)
“If you want to learn to Love better, you should start with a friend you hate.” ~ Nikka (age 6)
P.S. The little man pictured was one of the wondrous “little mystics” with whom I had the honor of working at Little Adventures Children’s Center back in the winter of 2008/09 … This guy in particular taught me more in those five months about Love & Peace & Happiness than any self-help book I ever read … Thanks again, Aiden!
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