[Crisis & Awakening - XI]
Here are two*signs of renewal* I learned from children this week:
Wild ideas over small and sheepish ideas. Children are not bound by convention; their imagination is big and wild and free. It dawned on me that this is not the consequence of immaturity and a lack of wisdom; rather, it’s the natural way of thinking when one lacks a concern for protecting what’s “mine”. Self-preservation ironically feels empowering and free, but its effects are weakness of mind, lack of creativity, and a thin and feeble faith. Renewal looks a lot like youthful, big, audacious ideas.
Unreserved public celebration and a loss of worry. Children haven’t lived long enough to create personas. Their social sensibilities are undeveloped and their ability to fear the future is minor. This doesn’t mean they don’e have fears and aren’t aware of their surroundings; it simply means they haven’t calculated the (perceived or real) consequences of their longterm social participation. So, when it’s time to celebrate, there’s no “prudent” and “tasteful” and “dignified” way to celebrate. All the worries of the world disappear, and it’s an explosion of unrestrained joy.
Wild, audacious ideas. Unreserved celebration.
Both are signs of revival.
