This is Why You Should Hold Fast to Childish Things

The three of us ran like young gazelles. Leaping and bounding through tall grass into the welcoming woods beyond. With the school year over, the promise of summer was upon us.

Warm nights, skinned knees, blue belly lizards and lunches in the tree house. We were three young friends in the neighborhood. Bonded by age, spirit and the joy of youthful living.

Each new day brought laughter and adventures. And our furry companions! There was Rosey and Clancy, matching and goofy Irish Setters who often escaped the neighbor’s backyard.

There was Chrissy the German Shepherd and Ebony our dark poodle. There were cats too, but they were largely indifferent to our boyhood exploits. Typical cats.

Too soon the other life will intrude

Dad would come home as the sun was setting. In his suit, carrying his leather briefcase. How foreign to me his world of work, responsibilities and commitments was.

It was not my time yet for adult constraints. My world was an open landscape of dreams, possibilities, play and carefree living. A time when I could sleep in, except for Saturday morning cartoons.

Dad used to tell me, “Enjoy your summer, Johnny. Too soon the other life will intrude.”

Fast forward forty three years. That ten year old boy is now 53. His childhood buddies have long since moved on. Different paths led us apart. Sort of a benevolent drift. The “other life” my father alluded to has indeed intruded.

“I spent my whole childhood wishing I were older and now I’m spending my adulthood wishing I were younger.” — Ricky Schroder

Adulthood has a way of doing that. It trims away your imagination. Usually during adolescence, when we start to care less about fantasy and toys and childhood things. When we begin to worry about how we look and what others think. Before long there are relationships, careers and commitments.

We come home one day to our own children and realize that we are the ones in suits now. Carrying leather briefcases. Exploring open fields and imaginary worlds have become a blur.

“Together with a culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. To put it another way: people who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport.” — Pope Francis

The fine art of leaving things undone

We turn to new forms of entertainment. Television. Alcohol. Social media. We fill out checklists and establish goals. Objectives. Weight loss. Clean out the attic. Do more. Get ahead.

I remember one Saturday my father sitting on the back patio with a glass of iced tea. There was a gentle breeze and he was leaning back with his eyes shut.

I asked him, “What are you doing, Dad? I thought you were going to hack the weeds on the hillside today?” He smiled, looked at me and said, “I’m practicing the fine art of leaving things undone.”

Sometimes our souls are worn out. Too much hustle, work, competition and responsibility. Too much adulthood.

Sometimes, we just need to leave things undone. Go run again in an open field. Hike deep into the woods. Watch a sunset unfold. Recapture your youthful spirit.

“Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays, good company, good conversation — what are they? They are the happiest people in the world.” — William Lyon Phelps

Reacquaint ourselves with wonder

The art of leaving things undone is not about being irresponsible. It’s about taking some time, here and there, to reacquaint ourselves with wonder. The magic of childhood. Learning to see the world, for a little while, through our ten year old eyes again.

They say there comes a time to let go of childish things. But maybe there are times when we should hold fast to them? To regain our sanity, joy and hope.

If you’re feeling the weight of the world, go ahead and allow yourself this small indulgence. Clear your calendar occasionally and embrace the art of leaving things undone.

All the commitments and urgent stuff will be there when you get back. Just relax, let go of it all and learn to be in the moment.

There is much peace and calm there.

I’m John P. Weiss, fine artist and writer. Get on my free email list here to receive the latest artwork and writing.