When I Was A Child
I’d like to put the first part of a sentence “out there”, and I’d like you to consider how you’d end the statement. Here it is: “When I was a child…”
If you’re up for it, leave your thoughts in the comment section below. If not, you can think it or write a note to yourself. No pressure to visibly answer at all. What did you come up with? Any thoughts like…
- things were so much better?
- I had a lot more fun?
- people were nicer?
- grownups took better care of our world?
- life was easier?
Hmm..when I was a child, were any of those things more true?
Or could it be they’re only true for you and your memories? After all, isn’t it safe to imagine or figure the people who were grownups when you were a child also had those “when I was a child” memories? I believe every generation, from the second one on down, might have at least some memories or thoughts like that.
Well, fondly remembering childhood…or even remembering it with disdain and regrets…it’s all nothing more than a potentially negative distraction. You can’t go back and change things. And it doesn’t make sense to hold anyone from the past (including yourself) responsible for it.
So…what makes more sense? How about realizing those thoughts from your childhood were childish thoughts. Those memories were childish, even if they’re cherished. Now is the time you actually live in, and now it’s time to put away those childish things.
When I was a child, “Howdy Doody” was still on TV. So was “The Andy Griffith Show”, “I Love Lucy”, and “Davey and Goliath”. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Stand By Me”, you’ve gotten a look at what things were like when other grownups were in control.
It was a much simpler time in America. Much more innocent. But I can still remember hearing my Grandparents lament, “What’s this world coming to?”
Yep, it’s a matter of perspective. But it’s also a matter of putting on your grownup clothes and doing something about here and now. Do something to bring joy to someone’s life so they might have at least a glimmer of hope to be able to say “life was so much nicer, when I was a child”.
Stay tuned…