“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Lessons from Nellie …..

Photo: © D. Paul Graham, “Nellie at Four”, Lilburn GA,  2021

“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Lessons from Nellie …..

A certain five-year-old granddaughter, soon to be six-year-old which I’m told makes her a big girl, has grabbed my heart. She has me firmly wrapped around her little finger and I’m in serious trouble when she figures that out. Whenever we get to spend time with her, I try to see the world through Nellie’s eyes. She reinforces the tremendous power in the naïve realism of a child’s perspective. With her world view, she has unknowingly reminded me of and has taught me some of life’s most vital lessons. This morning’s M5T takes a look at life lessons through the simplistic yet profound perspective of a five and soon to be six-year-old.

1.Wonder

A child embraces the magic in the mundane. Allow yourself to be ignited by and curious about the most mundane things in life. Give yourself freedom to be awestruck. Let go of inhibitions. Observe without blinders. Be curious. Listen without filters. Remember how some pillows and sheets become the magical fort or a cave? Let the simplest of things become a source of wonder, joy, and excitement. Be inspired by seeking out new ideas and fresh perspectives. Go outside in the rain and splash in a mud puddle. Swing as high as you can. Lay on your back on lush green grass and look up at the sky to see what figures the clouds are making. Pin a towel on your shoulders across your back and become a super hero.

2. Tenacity

Keep going. Never be afraid to ask for what you want. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Refuse to take no for an answer. Plot ways to work around the no. Be fearless and refuse to give up. Be tenacious in climbing out of ruts in your life, your relationships, and your mindset. Step out of your comfort zone and never hesitate to experience new things.

3. Delegate

Recognize when you have to ask for help. Do the things you really want to do. When it looks like a bomb has gone off in the guest room and Grandmama asks if it would be fun to organize your suitcase, be honest like Nellie and say “That’s not fun. Can someone else to do that?”

4. Again

How often do you hear a child say, “do it again”, or “one more time”. Be present in the moment for the things that give you unadulterated joy. Allow yourself to be enthusiastic about the tremendous power in repetition. It can help you learn, define your passions, and develop comfort and expectations in predicting how things in life can unfold.

5. Learn

Be curious. Ask questions. Look closer. Don’t be afraid to fail. Cherish new ideas. Imagine just for the sake of imagining, of dreaming, of thinking. Be playful. Seek out fresh paradigms. Step back and assess the problem, then be focused and tenacious in working a solution. Be flexible to explore anything new. Develop your senses of taste, smell, and hearing. Make your journey exciting.

Here’s to a week of waking up with a smile. To finding wonder in all that is around you. To rediscovering and reacquainting yourself to your childlike self that may have gone missing for too many years. And in the words of Emerson, “be silly, be honest, be kind.”

© 2023 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 11 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T.

You can reach Paul by email at dpg@imagegraham.com