June 14, 2006

• "When we adults think of children, there is a simple truth which we ignore: childhood is not preparation for life, childhood is life. A child isn't getting ready to live - a child is living. The child is constantly confronted with the nagging question, "What are you going to be?"

  
  

  Courageous would be the youngster who, looking the adult squarely in the face, would
  say, "I'm not going to be anything; I already am." We adults would be shocked by such an insolent remark for we have forgotten, if indeed we ever knew, that a child is an active participating and contributing member of society from the time he is born. Childhood isn't a time when he is molded into a human who will then live life; he is a human who is living life. No child will miss the zest and joy of living unless these are denied him by adults who have convinced themselves that childhood is a period of preparation.
  
  How much heartache we would save ourselves if we would recognize the child as a partner with adults in the process of living, rather than always viewing him as an apprentice. How much we would teach each other...adults with the experience and children with the freshness. How full both our lives could be. A little child may not lead us, but at least we ought to discuss the trip with him for, after all, life is his and her journey, too." -
  Professor T. Ripaldi

  
  

  I apologize for the gender bias in this, but it is a quote and so i didn't alter it...it  was sent to me via e-mail by a friend.  Most of our joint friends seemed to feel that they had been robbed of their childhood, that they had never done anything except follow the prescribed path laid out for them by their parents and teachers.  They had taken the right courses, they had joined the right clubs, they had trained for the right careers, and yet, they never felt that they had enjoyed any of the journey.

  
  

  There is a new movie, The Peaceful Warrior, coming out based on the book by the same name.  In one scene, the protagonist has hiked for several hours to the top of a mountain, very excited by the climb because of the lure of what was to be found at the summit.  When he reaches the summit, and discovers that all there is is the top of a mountain, he is angered and disappointed, until he is reminded of how much he had enjoyed climbing to the top.  At first, he tries to argue that he only enjoyed himself because of the promise of what lay ahead, but he soon realizes that it truly was the journey, and not the destination, than gave him the enjoyment.

  
  

  I believe this is the point that Jesus is making when he tells us to consider the lilies of the field.  Their lifespan is short, and yet their beauty is unmistakable.  In this world of ours, children get sick and die - what a tragedy it would be if a young life were cut short and we had taken away the chance that person had to enjoy what is all around us.  We don't even know if all of the preparation would matter if you might die before you can do anything with it. 

  
  

  "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"... "Dîtes-moi....ou sont les neiges d'antan?"  If all we have, whether young or old, is today, we need to be enjoying every second of what is available to us.  Have fun.  Fall in love with inappropriate people.  Make love.  Get your heart broken. "I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone, I certainly do..." to quote Alanis Morrissette.  Fall in love with someone else.  Be kind to everyone.  Smile. 

  
  

  Don't worry about how old other people are -- if you are older, remember that you were once their age.  If they are older than you, remember that they were once your age.... But above all, live! and enjoy the journey. 
  

  • 4:42 pm
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