When did we become adults? When did we loose our innocence? When did we stop enjoying the regular things and stopped getting amused of the small things in life? What if we never stopped looking at that little ant carrying a grain of sugar, laughed when our shoes made different marks on the floor, giggled when that milk or coffee made huge mustaches on our faces and looked at the moon and imagined different things on it.
My 3 year old is crazy about the Moon...I remember even when he was 1 he looked up and kept showing me the Moon and then it become a ritual to spot it. Everytime we saw it together we saw different things on it. ' Kabir what can you see today?' Some days it was a cycle on other days it was a rabbit !! His imagination has no limits !! When did I get so busy in life that I stopped noticing it ??!! At home card board boxes have become car parking systems and perfumes are being made from flowers and leaves. Children haven't let anything stop them from being creative.
On the Hanuman Tekdi which we visit everyday there are innumerable things my children notice and I am surprised by their enthusiasm about the simplest things. A bird's nest, a uniquely shaped pebble, clouds shaped of elephants and even people wearing the wrong footwear. The other day Kabir wore his shoes near the Hanuman temple on the hill ! When I instructed him to remove his shoes and not wear them near the temple, he said.....I am showing my new shoes to Hanuman mom !! You don't get it !! Now how could I come between two pure souls...how would I know what they were discussing I thought. One day Kabir wore an orange T-Shirt and said ' today me and Hanuman are wearing clothes of same colour, we look same-same !! Everyday I am amazed by what he talks, ease of his thoughts and I wish all of us had this clarity of thought. Why have we become God fearing when we were born God loving. We have so much to learn from our children !!
But the real Hero in this story is what children can create when their imaginations and creativity is unleashed. One day while roaming around we noticed that few children are busy making something and as we explored we saw this beautiful Ganapti temple they had built. There under a tree surrounded by water, with floating diyas, decorated by sticks and leaves sat the most beautiful Ganesha !! It was discoloured, probabaly old and unpolished but I haven't felt this close to God ever before in my life in any other temple. Everyday we visit the hill, everyday the children decorate it,water the plants nearby, shower it with flowers and make it even more beautiful. Kabir is now part of their group, fidgeting around with his tiny hands and scrambling feet, he wants to show that he is doing his bit. Patiently the older children allow him to fumble, show off his skills and make him feel like he is a part of their inner circle.
I look at them being busy and I remember my childhood,carefree days spent in wonder and excitement and being happy about nothing !! As we climb down the hill I vow to keep that child in me alive, to keep hoping despite the unpredictable days. I resolve to learn from that ant who relentlessly carries her share of load and never forget to smile everytime I have a milk moustache. Sometimes I wonder if humanity is facing this challenging time so that we are forced to sit down, reflect and recharge. Create beautiful things, look at the positive side of everything and strive to get stronger and find a way to not only survive but thrive through this chaos. We spent money building huge structures and we forgot to appreciate the Weaver bird's nest.
The time has come to learn from our children. They have endured the last year bravely, stayed home, missed school,their friends and shared virtual hugs. They have kept their inner child alive. They have created things at home, explored the world through Google and kept their HOPES alive.
' 3rd me nahi to 4th me school jayenge !! Milke ke nahi to phone pe baatein karenge !! Dur desh nahi to apne aas passki duniya dekhenge !!
They wore their masks but kept their eyes open and we did not realise that we were always wearing our masks (only they were higher) We need to remove the masks from our eyes and look around, for a beautiful world awaits us and we are strong enough to overcome any obstacles we face. History has taught us that we have survived through a lot worse and we will survive through this as well. It is important what we learn from these challenging times and while we struggle, plan and work hard to keep our jobs and businesses alive we should never forget to appreciate the little ant, look at the moon, create beautiful things and feel lucky simply to be ALIVE in this beautiful world !!
Keep that child alive in you, for that child will teach you how to live your life to the fullest !!