Why Adults are Overrated
Do you remember a time when anything was possible? Before the cynicism of the world made you jaded.. before ‘yes’ became more no’s.. before what others thought mattered more than your own ideas?
When did it happen? When did we start worrying whether someone would want to sit next to us? When did we start wondering what’s the point of even trying? When did we start doubting more than believing?
Of course, if adults acted like children, it can be funny or maybe downright disturbing.
In the movie Big, Tom Hanks plays a 12-year old who gets his wish granted to suddenly become a full grown adult. It’s another example of “artists using lies to tell the truth.”
Through the eyes of Hanks’ character we laugh at ourselves as adults. One of the best moments is when a pretentious office mate reveals his “brilliant” toy idea of a robot that transforms into a building. He presents this with charts and spits out impressive numbers. All the adults nod and applaud mate until Hanks simply says “I don’t get it..”
If you haven’t watched this classic movie, it’s a must-see with lots of such gems that point out lots of things that we’ve bought into as adults.
Somehow we’ve gotten in our own way..
A student of mine share how he took his child skiing. While he said that it was difficult to teach concepts like balance and speed control, I pointed out that the best way to teach kids is to show them.
Kids are like a bundle of pure mirror neurons. They reflect us with little getting in the way. It’s only with time that their mirrors get clouded with the junk they pick up over time.
“To become a happy person — have a clean soul, eyes that see romance in the commonplace, a child’s heart, and spiritual simplicity.” ― Norman Vincent Peale
So, how can we have the wisdom of maturity, yet see the world with the eyes of innocence?
I think it goes back to nurturing our curiosity.
Curiosity isn’t afraid to ask questions. Curiosity is open to possibilities. It doesn’t assume to know without looking further.
The “work” is in the play — allowing ourselves to explore again.. to take a walk on the wild side..
But this isn’t likely to happen if we’re surround by “adults” who are set in their ways. Going back to the mirror neuron effect, your environment really does matter.. a lot!
Day 30 — tomorrow is my last day of this #My500words challenge. But we don’t have to completely say goodbye.
You can follow my journey as an indie creative on visit Butterfly Formula. Or for more stories of my digital nomad and food travel adventures visit Tango Vagabond.
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