Watch a Child at Play

Picture by Valdas Zajanckauskas

Children have an ability to live in the present and be in the moment that most of us have long forgotten. Remember how, as a child, time seemed to stretch infinitely? I've already explained that this is because of all the impressions a child encounters in this previous post, but it's also part of their stage in life. As a child, there's not much worrying about the future, because your parents take care of those worries for the time being. There's not much worrying about the past, because there's not much past to speak of. In short, the moment is what takes up your full attention.

Luckily for us, this kind of attitude is contagious. You can feel drawn to the moment by  watching others be in it. Completely. Without hesitation or doubt. Watching a child (or a pet, if there are no children near you) play can open your eyes to everything NOW has to offer.

If you have children (or come into contact with them regularly) you'll have plenty of opportunities to just observe them at their game. You can see them make up stories, run around, teach other children and experience new adventures. You can see them fight and make up, fall and get up, break something and rebuild it. They are not concerned about what was or will be, only about what is.
If  you don't have the chance to see children in your daily life, you could go to a playground or the beach and watch them. Try to do this in as innocent a way as possible though. I mean, don't go around staring creepily! 
Another option is to watch youtube video's of playing pets and laughing babies, though this is not nearly as effective because the NOW in that case isn't really NOW is it?

What kind of adventures do the kids or pets you watch get into? How do you feel watching them play? Tell all, don't be afraid!