Do you see with the eyes of a child?

Learning to see with the eyes of a child might be the best way to bring the magic back into your life.

This past weekend I went to visit my two and a half-year old nephew and spent as much time watching him as playing with him.

He’s at the age where he’s discovering his likes and dislikes and clearly expressing them.  The age known as the “terrific twos.”

The “terrific twos” in action

Connor’s vocabulary is increasing week by week, but it seems his favorite word is, “No!”

“Connor, do you want to sing the ABC song?”

“No!”

“Would you like to show Aunt Molly how you can count?”

“No!”

“Do you want Aunt Molly to read you a story?”

“No!”

And so it went.

Although I didn’t get to engage with him as much as I’d hoped,  I was very entertained watching him interact with his environment.

He was fascinated by things that no longer tend to fascinate me.  It was as if he is living in a different world.  And I suppose he actually is.

This was particularly obvious when we went out to eat.  Sitting by the front window of the restaurant, he enjoyed waving at the people walking by. It was very sweet.

Seeing with the eyes of a child  

I couldn’t help but reflect on what life might be like for a 2-year old.  What is it like to see the world through such new eyes?

It reminded me of a wonderful Native American tradition that grandmothers did with their grandchildren at the end of each day.  They would ask:

What did you see/experience today that…

Looked pretty

Sounded nice

Smelled good

Made you laugh

Made you feel good about yourself

You admired in another person

Brought joy to your heart

This is not only a wonderful thing to do with our children, but we adults can do it, too, to bring back some of the wonder in life.

Try it, and let me know how it goes.