There is a phrase, the ‘second childhood’, that sometimes occur during adulthood. This is when an adult acts like a child, either for fun or due to diminished faculties. I exclude those falling in love in their mature years, when eros embers are re-kindled and burns brightly.
Kids love to step into puddles of water. Adults avoid that, as they know the mess and clean up involved. As adults, the instinct to weigh the pros and cons of every decision has become ingrained. This technique has a technical name, called “decisional balance.” As adults gradually transition child-like joy experiences out of their daily life, they replace it with adult-pleasure experiences. And sometimes, the latter comes with some un-wanted baggage: image and self-centeredness.
It was snowing heavily on Feb 2, 2025 (a rare occurrence here in Washington State). I decided to take a walk. And as the snow flakes got larger, I just felt the urge to open my mouth. I found that one had to ‘intentionally go’ for the snowflake (like catching peanuts thrown in the air) as the flakes were not falling into the open mouth (perhaps mini currents of warm air were emanating from the open mouth?).
There were a handful of people in the neighborhood park that is by the lake. And the ducks swimming towards me created a nice ripple pattern. Simple joys experienced and recorded into my memory.
Journey Within 