Through the Innocent Eyes of a Child

Watching my children run and play with our dog, laughing with innocent abandon, my mind begins to ponder… Why can’t we view others as a child views?

The news last night was troubling… Maybe children should be running this world! Their little eyes don’t notice if their friend has a different color of skin; neither do dogs’.

they just value the precious friendship.

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Why can’t we be blinded to the faults of others, as a child overlooks?

The parents insist their child says: “I’m sorry!” But, the parents rarely apologize to the child.

Even so, little eyes look adoringly at their parents, with unconditional love—as does their dog; so quick to forgive and forget.

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Why can’t we notice the wonders all around us, as a child notices?

Whether it’s an ant carrying a leaf 10-times its size, or a fluffy dog with a panting tongue hanging out,

little ones notice it all—and squeal with delight.

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Why can’t we lock eyes with strangers, as a child makes new friends everywhere?

Adults tend to look the other way; but a child will make a stranger’s day,

flashing them a smile so big that the stranger can’t help returning it. And what stranger can resist wanting to pet a passing friendly dog?

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Why can’t we still be awed when we see a rainbow, as a child is amazed?

If only we took the time to be stopped in our tracks by the miracle

of that beautiful promise, after a storm!

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Why can’t our eyes sparkle as we unashamedly burst into song, as a child's lack of inhibition?

Only when we’re alone in the car and our favorite song comes on the radio, do we dare;

but a child does not hesitate to burst into song anytime, anywhere.

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Why can’t our eyes be mesmerized by a cartoon or fairy-tale, as a child enjoys innocent entertainment?

They don’t want to be exposed to horrors, like what adults seek out.

It’s a sad day when adults lose that innocent light in their eyes.

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Why can’t our eyes be delighted when a wave fills up the moat around our sandcastle, as a child gleefully claps their hands? And their dog is in 7th heaven just to run and jump along the beach.

Children aren’t concerned about the worries in the world, they can focus on the present; simply appreciating the sand and the sea,

and finding the perfect shells to decorate their creation.

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Why can’t we modestly accept a compliment, as the shy eyes of a child can; and their dog will give an appreciative tail-wag when hearing: “Good boy!”

Adults either proudly EXPECT a compliment—and get angry if they don’t receive it,

or are too uncomfortable and voice objections, rather than a humble: “Thank you.”

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Why can’t our eyes gleam with excitement when it snows, as a child wakes to a magical sight out the window? And their dog can’t wait to roll around in the white.

When did we lose our appreciation for the wonder of winter?

When did we forget the joy of building a snowman, then adding a face, scarf, hat, buttons, and stick-arms to it?

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Why can’t our eyes dance with delight when we see a family member or friend, as a child is made so happy by their visit?

No matter if the child just saw them only the day before,

they still will rush to greet them as if it’s been years. And their dog has no shyness in turning belly-up to encourage a tummy rub.

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Why can’t our eyes enjoy simple pleasures, like putting pen to paper, as a child enjoys?

Whether it’s colored pencils, crayons, or an ink pen,

a child loves the way it looks and feels to put their words or pictures down on paper.

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Why can’t our eyes laugh along when trying to tell a story, as a child giggles?

Laughter is the best medicine, but adults rarely indulge in it;

whereas a happy child can rarely relate an account without giggling. And their dog will happily bark along.

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Why can’t we pick up right where we left off when our eyes spy someone we haven’t seen in a long time, as a child can?

A child can encounter someone they haven’t seen in forever and immediately run off to play, hand-in hand—and their dog will, too;

while a grownup is often at an awkward loss as to what to do or say.

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Why can’t our eyes see opportunities to pass the time on a road trip, as a child can see?

Adults stay bored out of our minds; but a child can find joy simply by

counting the number of turns, or yelling “Green light... Go!” just as the stoplight turns green; and their dog is content just to hang his head out the window.

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Why can’t we have deep conversations about the fear in our eyes, as a child can’t wait to discuss?

Adults bottle up what’s troubling us, afraid to talk about it;

but a child will pour out their heart about the monsters they fear are under their bed.

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Why can’t our eyes find appreciative joy when something comes out of a vending machine, as a child appreciates?

It doesn’t matter what it is, a child will be delighted;

but an adult only gets a kick out of it if two items get unexpectedly dispensed, instead of one.

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Why can’t our eyes get a gentle glow when looking at our baby photos, as a child is eager to remember?

A child loves to see old videos and photos of themselves;

but an adult will often slam the photo album shut, or beg someone not to play the video.

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Why can’t our eyes reflect the team spirit that we used to have, as a child supports their friends?

It’s every man for himself nowadays;

but a child will cheer their team—and sometimes even those on the other team! Their dog is impartial, too; happy just to be outside amidst it all.

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Why can’t our eyes glint as we snicker at an inside joke, as a child does with his siblings?

Instead, we find it difficult to even make conversation with our grown brothers and sisters...

Oh, if only we could rekindle that instant connection with our siblings, that we had as children!

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Why can’t our eyes exchange knowing glances because we can read each other’s minds, as a child exchanges?

Children do this often. Whether they are signing each other’s yearbooks or noticing their crush in a shopping mall,

they have the ability to communicate silently.

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Why can’t our eyes show a longing for simple pleasures, as little things that make a child happy?

Perhaps it’s longing for their favorite bedtime story or the aroma of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies... just as their dog is so easy to please.

Simple pleasures are often the best of all, but many adults have sadly lost their longing for them.

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Why can’t our eyes widen at discovering old treasures, as a child thrills in discovering?

What adult feels delight when cleaning their room? Of course, a child doesn’t either, at the start...

UNTIL they find a forgotten treasure, which always widens their eyes with delight; just like their dog does when he finds an old lost ball or a forgotten bone.

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Why don't our eyes show confidence when making a presentation, as a child introduces their pet?

You’ve never seen an adult’s presentation as confident

as a child’s, who is telling you all about their beloved Spot, Buffy, or Ellie.

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Why can’t our eyes be satisfied when we make a homemade gift for someone we love, like it satisfies a child?

Whether it be helping to stir up a batch of cookies or gluing a picture out of macaroni,

a child will present it to you as if it was worth a million dollars—and it means that much.

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Why can’t our eyes have that lightbulb-moment of sudden understanding, often seen in a child’s eyes?

Remember the feeling when you suddenly understood something in school?

Some adults have chosen not to even learn history, much less remember why we shouldn’t repeat some of it.

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Why can’t our eyes find contentment in things like front porch swings and dandelions, as a child finds gratifying?

There are few things that bring more contentment for a child than to pick some dandelions in order to present them to their Mum;

then swing contentedly together, snuggled up on the porch swing.

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Why can’t our eyes agree to an impromptu dance party with our friend, as a child will do at the drop of a hat?

There would be a lot less problems in this world, if grownups would

agree to dance-it-out at any given moment, like children will do; with their dog jumping and barking amidst the joy.

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Why can’t our eyes be pleased when we arrive at our favorite place, as makes a child or a dog happy?

Of course, EVERY place seems like your favorite place, when you are a child...

When did we adults quit being so easy to please?

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Why can’t our eyes be unable to contain our eagerness to share good news, as a child is so eager to do?

Instead, adults can’t wait to share bad news, it seems.

We need more good news, and less doom and gloom.

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Why can’t our eyes laugh until tears are streaming down our face, like a child will uncontrollably howl at the moon, with their dog?

When was the last time we cracked up, snickered, and whooped so long and hard with someone

until our stomach hurt?

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Why can’t our eyes glisten with the anticipation of crunching a fallen leaf, like a child anticipates?

Crunch those leaves! Splash in that mud puddle! Jump in fearlessly, like the dog!

Haven’t you ever wondered why most children aren’t stressed out, like adults are?

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Why can’t our eyes see that it’s okay to be silly, like a child is not afraid to express?

Go ahead, tell that ‘Dad joke’! Imitate that zoo animal! Do that dance of joy!

As children know, acting silly is a super-duper fun way to lift moods.

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Why can’t our eyes reflect the firelight as we’re roasting marshmallows, as a child loves to do?

When was the last time we chased fireflies or told scary stories around a campfire?

Whenever it was, it’s been way too long.

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Why can’t our eyes show amazement at the sight of clouds out of an airplane window, as a child finds wonder?

When did we lose our wonder that we were so high above the ground,

soaring above the clouds like the birds, the angels—or Superman?

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Why can’t we get teary-eyed when we see someone who needs our help, as a child’s eyes immediately show compassion—and their dog can comfort just by laying his head on someone’s lap?

A child is often the first one to point out a fallen bird or a homeless person.

If we refuse to help or walk on by, they will remember it forever, for it pains a child’s heart.

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Why can’t our eyes show excitement when we talk about something we’re passionate about, as a child’s eyes will show?

They can barely contain themselves when they talk a mile-a-minute about their newfound passion.

Where have our dreams gone?

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In the spotlight, why can’t our eyes rove about and shine when we finally spot the one we wanted to see, as a child shines when they see the person they can count on; like their dog is so glad to see us come in the door—even if we just left?

Children are not as concerned about what they are performing, as they are in finally seeing the one who came to support them.

Why can’t we care more about the ‘who’ rather than about the ‘what’?

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Why can’t our eyes be eager to be the first one in line for the roller-coaster ride or the fireworks, as a child is eager?

When did we lose our zeal for such things?

Children know how to have fun—they can teach us a lot about how to find enjoyment in life.

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Why can’t we be unaware of our eyebrows until someone compliments them, as a child is unaware?

Adult women, especially, spend so much time obsessing over having the perfect eyebrows,

but a child doesn’t even know they’re there, until someone mentions them; then they immediately start scrunching them up and down—until they lose interest; just like their dog could care less about our looks.

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Why can’t our eyes be content with a few favorite outfits, as a child feels their favorite is enough?

Adults feel like they ‘need’ a whole closet-full of clothes,

but a child is content to sit by the dryer until their favorite outfit is dry, so they can put it right back on—and their dog is content with no clothes at all.

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Why can’t our eyes warm up when we can go outside and enjoy that first warm Spring day, as warms a child’s eyes and heart—and their dog can’t wait to rush outside?

Adults are much too busy to stop and admire the tiny snowdrop flowers and crocus blooms peeking up out of the ground;

but a child will take great pleasure in pausing from their skipping-about, to point out every single one.

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Why can’t our eyes show pleasure from receiving an unexpected card in the mail or a phone call, as a child is thrilled to receive?

Adults freak out when someone calls instead of texts, and become annoyed when they have to open a letter;

but a child can’t wait to rip open the envelope or run to the phone—so pleased that the call or letter is for them.

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Why can’t our eyes twinkle in the firelight from candles when the electricity goes out after a storm, as a child feels is an adventure?

Adults will complain when the lights go out after a storm, often irritated by the aroma of candles;

but a child can’t wait for the thrill of shaking up their light-stick; then love to cuddle up, while they listen to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof.

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Why can’t our eyes always be looking for opportunities to show love, as a child is eager to express to anyone they encounter—just like their dog?

Too many adults around the world show hate in their eyes, looking for reasons to be angry at others;

but a child is impartial—always ready to love.

Children all too soon grow up to become affected and influenced by our cold, cruel world. “At least you will remain forever innocent,” I sigh to their panting, happy dog, as I scratch behind his ears.