"Heaven lies about us in our infancy and the world begins lying about us pretty soon afterward"

When we're kids, everything feels magical and full of possibilities. We see the world with fresh eyes, soaking up everything like a sponge—unfiltered and pure. But as we grow up, that sense of wonder starts to fade. Society, expectations, and even our own experiences begin to shape and sometimes distort our perception of reality. It's like we go from a world of endless skies and fairy tales to one filled with rules, pressures, and, frankly, a lot of nonsense.

This idea isn't new. It goes way back to the Romantic era, with poets like William Wordsworth emphasizing the purity and innocence of childhood. Wordsworth believed that children are closer to heaven and the divine, while adults are more likely to be weighed down by the complexities and cynicism of the world. And honestly, when you think about it, there’s some truth to that. Have you ever watched a child play? They're in the moment, completely absorbed in their imagination, creating worlds out of thin air. There’s something almost sacred about that.

Let’s dive into a real-life example to make this hit home. Imagine a little girl named Emma. Emma loves painting. She doesn’t worry about staying within the lines or what colors traditionally go together. To her, a purple sun and blue grass make perfect sense. But then she starts school, and her art teacher tells her that the sun should be yellow and the grass should be green. Slowly, Emma begins to doubt her creativity. She starts to follow the rules, coloring within the lines and choosing "appropriate" colors. Her initial joy and freedom in painting start to diminish because the world has told her there’s only one right way to see things.

So how can we hold onto that childlike wonder, even as the world tries to box us in? It starts with being mindful of what influences us. Challenge the 'rules'—not everything society tells you is the gospel truth. Keep questioning, stay curious, and try to see the world through fresh eyes again. Ever noticed how when you travel somewhere new, everything feels fascinating? You can capture that same sense of wonder in your daily life by simply paying attention and staying present.

Here's a little story to illustrate this. Think about Joe. Joe is a corporate lawyer, bogged down by deadlines and a mountain of paperwork. One weekend, he decides to take his kids out on a nature walk. His kids are enthralled by everything: the intricate patterns on a butterfly’s wings, the rustling leaves, the way the light filters through the trees. Joe initially thinks he’s just along to supervise, but he starts to slow down. He notices things he hadn’t in years. By the end of the walk, he feels a strange sense of peace and happiness he hadn’t felt in a long time. Being present and seeing the world through his kids’ eyes reminded him of the beauty and simplicity he’d been missing.

So, the next time you're feeling weighed down by the world, try to reconnect with that childlike wonder. Remember what it felt like to be endlessly curious and let yourself get lost in the moment. Life’s pressures will always be there, but you can choose to see the magic around you—just like you did when you were young.