No matter what day it is and no matter how bad of a day I’ve had, I know that I can come home and see my five-year-old and two-year-old have an absolute blast doing whatever it is we’re doing. We could be washing dishes, or washing my car, or picking up toys, or any number of things that I would think is completely boring to everyone, and they’re laughing and having a great time.
Nothing like playing ring-around-the-rosey near a nuclear reactor coolant water pipe. Like I said, kids can be happy no matter what.
I want you to take a tip from these examples and know that you can be inspired and live happily again by taking the point of view of kindergartners and begin happy all the time. Here are a couple of clues to get you started on that path.
1. Find The Fun In Everything
If you don’t have labels and experience that makes you believe that particular outcomes are going to be negative, then of course you’re not going to think about them. All you’re going to think is, “Hey, I know how to move this over there so I’m going to give it a shot, and I’m going to have a great time doing it.” You’re not thinking, “Oh, what if I fall,” or, “What if I don’t do this right?” or, “What if that person over there doesn’t think the best of me?”
Those things don’t come into your mind when you’re this young. You’re only concerned with getting stuff done and having fun doing it. You have removed yourself from the end goal and the labels associated with it. You’re focused solely on good efforts, and that’s the way to do it.
2. They Don’t Know The Concept Of Labels
They don’t call themselves stupid. They don’t call themselves lazy. They don’t call themselves incompetent. They may know what those words mean, but they know better than to say that they are those things. They don’t need those labels to help them live their life. When we get older, we attach ourselves to those labels because it helps us think less, and our mind likes to work less hard. Those are mental shortcuts that end up making our life harder than it needs to be, so, in the end, they are not as useful as you think they might be so stop using them.
3. Share Everything With Those In Need
I have not seen a kid yet that’s in a good mood be quick to share anything that they’re eating, they’re doing, or playing with another kid that’s around them. It’s just absolutely wonderful to see them playing. Sure, they may be a little close to one toy when compared to others.
However, usually they’ll do what it takes to help the other kids or people around them have fun and get stuff done too. It’s this pure innocence and want to see other people happy that’s inside of them that removes all roadblocks when it comes to working with other people. That’s a great way to think about it.
4. Smile Like There’s Always A Reason
Kids know the real reason to always smile, and that’s because it’s just another great day to live. They have things they can do and have fun with. They have people around them that they love. Their needs are taken care of and there isn’t much for them to worry about. They don’t have roadblocks built up in their mind to stop them from having fun and enjoying life.
The real secret to happiness in your life is to forget everything that gets in your way and think about the real way to do things without attaching yourself to those negative aspects of what you’ve learned to do so far.
Look to the Kids and Finally See
Kindergartners really have it made when it comes to being happy in life. They understand that to find the fun in everything, forgetting about labels, sharing, and smiling like there’s no reason are the real secrets to being perpetually happy. Take a tip from these wonderful kids and start being happier yourself.