A Child at Heart

Who in the world am I? What is my part to play?

A question that each of us have asked at multiple times in our life and no matter what our age we can find ourselves questioning our identity and purpose.

At times as I have pondered this question I have been brought back to the simplicity of who I was and what I loved as a child.

Sometimes by stepping into the heart of a child our serious reality is brought back into the imaginative world. Our reality is reframed and we realise once again, “anything is possible!”

Alice in Alice in Wonderland said it beautifully; “Keep the simple and loving heart of your childhood”.

In a world today that is tampered by so much technology, opinions and must do lists we can find ourselves swirling in a every growing fast paced world. But what if we slowed down and saw how we did as a child for just a few short minutes… Endless possibilities, everything a form of play, a joy in the simplicities. There would would be a reshaping of our realities Im most certain of it.

So the question forms how can we do this? Recapture our childhood, and remember the beautiful parts and attitudes we beheld.

Heres some simple ideas;

1. Read one of your favourite childhood books. Get lost in it!

2. Spend time playing ( yes play dough, paints, clay) something with your hands and get messy!

3. Watch and observe a child, hold a baby or facetime a loved one with a little one.

4. Reminisce on the happy parts of your childhood, look through an old album or watch a video of you as a child if you have one!

5. Be free - Dream as if there is no borders, laugh at the simple things and find your sense of wonder at a tree, a dog, a rainbow.

I believe there is a child in each one of us waiting to come play, sometimes we just need to open that door and let them take centre stage for a moment remembering that who you were then is only a less serious version of who you are now. Our world could surely do with some more childlikeness so why not put your favourite frock on and go frolic like no ones watching~!

What is it you hold most dear?

It has been quoted “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.

A treasure is defined as “any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized; to regard or treat as precious; cherish”.

 When I was young I had a set of drawers in my room named my ‘special drawers’. These were special because everything that had some sentimental value to me sat on top of these drawers. Items given to me by relatives who had travelled, special jewellery items, pictures and ornaments.

 As I grew older these special drawers changed and these loved items either were passed on or stored away in a box up in a cupboard. I began to find value in new things; such as a funky-coloured bedroom, clothes or accessories.

These items year after year would lose value, be thrown out or given away and they would be replaced with what I then sought after.

 It is interesting watching this pattern of what I held of value materially continually changing. Looking from another angle, I’ve noticed that the things of eternal value such as family, friendships and fun memories are long lasting and have remained.

 What is it that you treasure? That you hold most dear to you?

Is it something that will last or will it change?

 It is interesting how we can get so caught up in wanting that fashion item, latest iphone or boyfriend when really, will it still be there and as cool in a year’s time?

 “All the wealth and pleasure in the world will not bring solid comfort and content to the soul. They do not satisfy even the appetites of the body, for all is vanity.”

The affections of the common person are set on worldly things, on enriching themselves and acquiring and adding wealth. However worldly things can never satisfy the heart. The heart needs to be nurtured with long lasting things.

 Why not try investing in things that have eternal value.

-       Take your mum out for a walk or pick flowers for someone close to you

-       Write a letter to a friend so they know they are loved

-       Journal down ways YOU can make a difference

 John de Ruiter once said, “Let your heart believe only what nurtures you”.

 Choose to invest and foster things in your life that will nurture you, and those around you. I’m not saying don’t go out and buy that latest dress you really want but remember to do it in a way that builds both you and the others around you up!

Going Overseas

GOING OVERSEAS

To go or not to go...

There is a word called DREAM that we talk about in Radiance. We share how important it is to dream. To LIVE BIG and DREAM BIG.

The moment came one day for me in 2010 when I had a dream planted on my heart and I began to ponder, is this an 'I wonder dream' or is this a dream that really may become a reality? I chose to take it to a person whose opinion I highly value - I took it to God.

I had been offered an opportunity to travel with a friend overseas and do a university exchange. It was a wonderful and exciting opportunity. Doors had opened; I was no longer in a dating relationship and I had some content matches in my degree to study elsewhere. The country that looked like our destination for exchange was Ireland.

This one particular day as I walked around Burleigh Hill, I chose again to talk with my wise counsellor, God. I stood at the rocks and felt God with me as I began to speak with him about my prospective overseas trip. I felt he responded with, “I have come to bring life and life to the fullest”.

At this very moment I realised God wants us to have full and prosperous lives. He puts before us many opportunities and grants us free will. He allows us the chance to choose our direction and paths in life. He directs us to choose wisely, be close to him when considering choices and consult other wise people who he has placed around us. It is then, once we make our choices, that God will use us (if we are willing) wherever we are. 

I can tell you now with a lived perspective that this trip was life changing and one of my most memorable life experiences. It created many new overseas friendships, appreciation for nature and cities and most of all what fun there is to be discovered right at our fingertips. All it takes is stepping out of our place of comfort and taking a risk. 

Don't ever be afraid to DREAM, you just never know what the reality of that DREAM may bring.