the simple beauty of children

Whenever a child cries, a nearby adult gets irritated. Can't someone shut that kid up? they ask. Whenever a child laughs, however, a nearby adult laughs as well, possibly suddenly reminded of the simplicity of youth. Children don't have to worry about taxes or mortgages. They don't have to worry about peer pressure or self esteem yet. So when a child laughs, adults reminisce back to a time when they still had things to laugh at.

But... I always wondered why adults don't smile when children cry. I know I do... and not because I am a dark or twisted person. I merely recognize the life cycle in children, and its beauty always makes me smile.

Children live entire lives in one simple day. They experience happiness -- from a toy or a goofy adult. They experience sadness -- from lack of sleep or a stubbed toe. They experience love -- a hug from a mother or understanding the meaning of sharing. In a matter of seconds, the laughter of a child can immediately turn into an unexpected rage of thunder. Tears will fall without warning, but, if one will simply waits it out, a rainbow will appear in the smiling eyes of that same child in a matter of minutes.

Many people are annoyed by children, even to the point that they declare, "I'm never going to have children!" They're loud. They're messy. They're unclean. Yes, maybe so, but they are still just children. They don't know any better. This is what we do -- around children or adults -- we just get annoyed without trying to fix the problem. We see a crying child -- or an incompetant coworker or an adulterous friend -- and we just ignore it, hoping that it will go away on its own, all the while, we, ourselves, get angry and annoyed. It's as though no one wants to try anymore. No one wants to help that crying child, expect for the mother. What does this say about our society?

The world of a child is so full of opportunity and undiscovered doors -- not hate or war. They don't know the meanings of those words. We create that world for them. Instead, they clap their hands at silly magic tricks or goofy faces, and they never laugh at you. They like to be tossed upside down because they can see the world better that way. When was the last time an adult liked to see the world upside down?

Nothing ever stays the same with children. They are a personification of impermanence, and children understand this concept better than most adults. They look out a window and they see a world they want to belong to. They don't hide behind empty promises or declared ignorance.

I was sitting in Heathrow airport, surrounded by children. Loud ones, messy ones, unclean ones. And I wished there were more. They cry over the little things because they don't know of famine, war, hunger, or death. They scream because every second is new to them. Adults often forget that life is compromised of these seconds, seconds of wonderment and love. Nothing else matters but discovery. They love opening doors and peeking where they shouldn't because they love that adventure. They scribble on walls and love getting dirty because it's fun. Adults will almost always not do something due to fear or social conventions. Grass stains on a shirt can be washed out, but the memory of rolling down a hill will never wash away.

Love as often as you can, and get your heart broken every time. Don't worry about which way the wind blows because it will always carry you somewhere. Bring peace with each footstep, and put as much care in your family as you do in your possessions. Some adults quit because they know too much, because there is too much to know. But children... their lives are nothing but moments of discovery and amazement. Children learn by mistakes, and they always get back up. They continue to peek around the corner. They don't hide. They face the unknown because... because it's all they can do.

How unfortunate that we are not born adults and grow to be children.