This past week, we were blessed to have my 2 ½ year old grand-daughter staying at our house. We visited parks, played at the pool, colored pictures and discovered that life is filled with countless simple pleasures. As adults, we often allow our worries, cares, hurts and disappointments to muddy the waters, and we easily lose sight of the fact that there are many reasons to smile. So let’s revisit some of our childhood cheerfulness and take a few cues from these little ones.

Life lessons from a two year old:

• Take time to see (and I mean really see) God’s creation – the magnificence of a flower, the wonder of a bug, the fun designs in fluffy clouds.
• Smile often. Smile big. Allow yourself to be happy. Bring joy to others, by giving them the gift of your smile.
• Cry when you are sad. We all need to release our tears and grieve at times.
• Do a happy dance now and then.
• Forgive quickly and completely and move on.
• Make new friends where ever you go.
• Be truly happy to see others and hug them like you mean it.
• Use your imagination. Allow yourself to be creative. Dream big dreams. Keep hope alive in your heart.
• Play. Find something you enjoy (a sport, a hobby, an activity) and do it with gusto.
• Remember, the best activities are the simple ones. Collecting leaves on a walk, making pretend pancakes at the park, reading Green Eggs and Ham (again), playing “House” under the kitchen table, making a fort out of a large box, all remind us that we don’t need a lot of elaborate or expensive things to experience joy in life.
• Love well and laugh often – the best lesson of all!