Building Character

It’s a pleasant early morning, just the right breeze to soften the sun’s warm glow. From my window I could see two young mothers walking their kids a few meters away. The babies were about the age of one-year-something-- cute bubbly and perky. Usually this time of the morning in my place, the fathers have had already gone to their respective offices so the streets were bare of vehicles making it quite safe for kids. In many homes in this neighborhood, chores are being carried out in clockwork precision- a daily grind and routine for housewives and mothers.

So now, these two young mothers, one in short-cropped hair and the other in pony tail, naturally were engaged in the usual chatter of old friends in loud enough voices which I didn’t pay attention to. I was more intent on watching the two babies. The first baby with a white bib round his neck sucked nonchalantly on his pacifier. Obviously his mom meant to keep him out of mischief with this. The second baby in blue loosed himself from his mom’s hand and haltingly staggered towards a beautiful yellow-black speckled butterfly perched on a low-lying bush. But after just a few steps, baby blue tripped and fell. I waited for him to cry but no! He went on all fours and gradually stood up on his two feet and again staggered for the butterfly which had remained transfixed on the bush. Then again he tripped, fell, rose again, tripped again and fell, and rose again! Then finally, at last, he got close to the bush eyes still fixed on the butterfly and held out his hand to touch it. Then now the butterfly lifted up in the air but amazingly not with haste. Instead it flitted hovering over the bush like it was giving baby blue the chance to admire it up close-- almost like a prize rewarding him for his persistent and determined efforts to get near to it. I guess it worked. You should see the wonder and awe of baby blue seeing nature at its very best and appreciating the new discovery with a beautiful rapturous smile. Magnificent!

The scene eloquently portrayed these inspiring words of Helen Keller ---“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” I’m pretty sure that Baby Blue would have what it takes to face the struggles of the adult world he would be joining someday.

Laugh Again

Maybe it’s time to laugh again I heard someone say. I think he is right. It is indeed time to look at life from a perspective other than today’s traffic report or the evening news. It is time to give the child within us permission to look at life and laugh again. It is time we realize that life was meant to be enjoyed, not endured.

Remember how we once were when we were children? When everything we saw was fun and funny? And every new experience was a great adventure? That nobody could hurt us bad enough to make us want to sulk and mope all day? We’d snap out of it just as quickly as we finished off our fries. That we’d crouch on our knees to peer at a caterpillar in the bush? That an iced bar in hand had every friend’s tongue licking on it, too? Such generous and open hearts we had. Such thirst for wonder and adventure. Where did that all go now? When did everything get so serious? It’s simple. At some point between that age of childhood and right now-- we lost it, because life has become a race to be responsible adults. I won’t argue that because how else can we cope with life if we can’t be responsible living it. But who says becoming a responsible adult means a long face and a boringly serious attitude toward life?

True those tough times are upon us. The issues we all face are both serious and real. And in the world of reality, not everything is funny so most people would say. Are they saying then that we have no business laughing and enjoying life? And in the course of living a responsible life, we should sacrifice the ability to laugh and junk the gift of joy and look glum because we’re adults? I hope they don’t teach that in the classrooms or we will be having a planet of zombies.

So how about we try it differently this time and put the smile back on our faces. It’s time to laugh again. Even the Lord loves a cheerful heart. Let’s take back what we have lost. See the world through childlike eyes with a mind always seeking new wonders and adventure, a heart always trusting and believing. Let’s learn to enjoy once more a beautiful sunrise, the innocence and laughter of our children, the myriad colors of a rainbow, the pleasures of our friendships, the fun of surprises, and the assuring warmth and love of our families. Let’s get back the ability to seek out the good and too pluck out the hidden pearls of joy sprinkled down the road of our life in this crazy world. Let us once more learn to delight in these simple pleasures and so make ourselves a lovely day each day of our lives from now on.