Love Etched: The Wisdom in young Souls...

With all the public holidays that have just gone by, particularly the period around Easter, we often find ourselves surrounded by our loved ones and more specifically the little descendants that often come guised as our nephews nieces or siblings. This period always bring me ultimate joy!

It is when I was working as an au-pair in Holland and fell in love with my adopted Dutch/Xhosa sister that it really hit me... the importance and meaning of children is just so profound - if you pay keen attention. And this is what I continue to learn as I grown into aunt-dom and I suppose into womanhood. Here are just some of the lessons I have learned.

1. Honesty

For some reason, as we grow and evolve we learn to suppress how we really feel in hopes that people will like us; perhaps in fear that we'll hurt others or in an attempt to fit in. Well, I would encourage you that - like a child - feel the way you feel when you feel it. Don't throw another tantrum now but Its ok to have a varied hue of emotions. You're human!

2. Live and Let Live

You know how kids let you be who you are regardless of how you may be feeling or even smelling? Well, the next time you find yourself annoyed with someone else and distanced from them because their "different", try taking the approach of a kid and let people be who they are, instead approaching our differences with a curiosity and ounce of fun!

3. Laugh

There is nothing more pleasurable than expressing yourself deeply, in the most free form. Whether it is with yourself, at yourself along with others - its free - laugh at the sheer miracle of being alive!

4. Love

Is that not why we are here. Ever felt how much easier it is to choose love rather than the heaviness of being resetfulness and hateful? Well that is because I am certain we were brought on this earth to LOVE -what we do and who we do it with!

5. Patience

Kids are inquisitive and will probe you with questions until they feel they are satisfied. At times you have a nephew adamant on tying shoe laces they can't quite get as yet. In these situations we are patient, kind and loving - even if forced and painfully at the edge of loosing it... Try the same approach with those you interact with. I find it soooooooo difficult at times but if you see other this way, go as far as imagining them as kids and see what happens.

6. Play

For me this is simple... I'll put it this way:

"Play children play for tomorrow you will be old..."