Don’t Lose Your Marvels

I’ve been seeing more and more ladies my age and older with pink, green, or blue hair. It seems to be a trend in my part of the world. At first, I thought it was strange, but the more I thought about it, I think it’s a sign of someone who is fun-loving. There’s no age limit on that.

A Facebook post talked about the same thing. As we age, we shouldn’t lose our inner child. Or as a postcard I had for years said, “You only get old when you lose all your marvels.” When we stop marveling at the miracles and beautiful things around us, our zest for living goes with it.

Children love to have fun. Why can’t older people? Playing or enjoying an activity like a child relieves us from our burdens for a little while, helps us forget our pains and aches (they may come roaring back later but at least we forgot them for a while), and reminds us that we’re still alive and kicking. Laughter is truly the best medicine, and anything that makes us laugh should be participated in often.

This comes with a cautionary warning. Acting like a child is not always appropriate or correct. Adult temper tantrums are ugly, hateful, and disruptive. That part of childhood should be put away. Being an adult is required at times, and our maturity and experience can help others when they need advice. Wisdom is knowing when to act like a grownup and when to do things like a child.

No matter how old you are, don’t forget to have fun! Dye your hair purple. Go to an amusement park and ride the rides. Dance like no one is watching. Go for long bike rides. Stomp through the puddles. Participate in life to its fullest while you can. Just don’t break a hip while you do it.

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4