Encouraging Celebration

    In our current culture, correcting one another may seem appropriate. Having the ‘right’ information may feel safe or powerful. When interacting with children, practice allowing space for imagination. Facts and information frequently are not relevant in their moments, and can be set aside until absolutely necessary. This can be difficult, but it helps to focus on the child in front of you. Be mindful of where you may be holding facts, and allow the space to sit as a student. Your child teacher may be offering a lesson in Truth and Joy. 

     Around the table in the lovely, bright kitchen gathered the nanny, her 9 year old son and the little girl. Little Lisa babbled on about her dear friend Sienna. She described and announced her plans: a stroller ride down the street to Sienna’s house to pick her up, painting at the table, collecting eggs from the chicken coop and so many other fun things. Nanny and son were eating their breakfast. Lisa was not eating her breakfast. She was joyous, detailing in her halted, toddler speech, all that would transpire in her wondrous reality. 

      Nanny knew that Sienna was not coming over today. She had been here yesterday and enjoyed a lovely visit on the farm. But Nanny understood the long term implications of this particular moment in time. So with eye contact, smiles, and affirmative noises, she agreed with Lisa. Nanny encouraged her and supported the joyous tirade of words flowing from Lisa’s heart right out of her mouth, all the while blocking her breakfast. The little girl could eat later. These dreams of a friend’s visit was food for her soul. Lisa was in Love with Life and with encouraging nods and grunts, Nanny wrapped that experience in a safe, soft blanket and held it up in celebration like the absolute trophy of triumph that it was.  

     Nine year old “big brother” observed the whole scene thoughtfully.  After a bit, himself also knowing that Sienna visiting two days in a row was not the plan, respectfully and quietly, so as not to disrupt the celebration, he voiced his question. “Mum, none of that is true. Why are you agreeing with her?” Well stated young man, good question. 

      What is true? 

   What I know for sure is that little girl in front of us right now inhabits a state of consciousness called heaven. She’s creating and living in heaven right here on earth. In this kitchen. Daydreaming and declaring all that makes her heart sing. I agree with her. I agree with her heaven. We are witnessing a human child in their natural habitat. They dwell in states of peace and joy, celebration and imagination. Their worlds are unbounded by schedules and what happened yesterday. Lisa is sharing with us what infinite possibility sounds like and showing us what it feels like. 

      Our responsibility in this moment is to hold space for her heart to soar.  She is completely Free in this moment and we are the guardians of that Freedom, the stewards. Her open heart and unlimited mind does not need to be developed or cultivated, it’s already complete and whole. But it does need to be stewarded well. It needs a safe, encouraging space to run and jump and fly away higher and higher. That’s what we’re doing, sitting here at this table eating, as her breakfast gets cold. We are farmers, harvesting the pure, unbounded heart of a child.