It is possible for us to discover our own innocence and childlike beauty. Discovering the innocent childlike quality in us does not mean being reduced to a child. Rather, we become fresh, inquisitive, sparkling. We want to know more about the world, more about life. When our preconceptions are stripped away, we begin to realize ourselves—it is like a second birth. We discover our innocence, our primordial quality, our eternal youth.
—Crazy Wisdom by Chögyam Trungpa
Oh, how I love this! I try to cultivate my inner “sparkle” on a regular basis. I cart surf in grocery store parking lots , sketch (poorly) with colored pencils, dance (also poorly) to cheesy music while I cook dinner in my kitchen, and walk barefoot upon the earth when I can. As a child, I wasn’t allowed to walk around without shoes on. My mother always warned me that I’d “drive a rusty nail up my foot” if I did, and then I’d have to get another Tetanus shot. I lived in fear of shots, but I was mostly great at avoiding them. I finally had to break down and get a Tetanus booster when I was bitten (by a human, not a dog) two years ago. My doctor asked me when I had my last Tetanus shot, and when I told here it was in 1976, I got a scolding (and a shot).
Growing up I had tonsillitis all the time. Really. Even in the summer. I was on amoxicillin constantly. My mother would take me to see Our family doc, Dr. Rabasa, and every time he’d say to me, “Your name is not Lisa. Lisa is not a name. Your name is Elisabet.” I Think he said it just to get a raise out of me because each time I’d cross my scrawny arms and stomp my little foot, and then he’d laugh this big, deep belly laugh and tell my mom that “this is your fiery one” and that I needed an antibiotico. About that time, his wife, who was also his nurse would pop her head in the door and say, “Rafael, that girl needs a shot”. My eyes would get really big and pleading as I shook my head “no”. 99% of the time, it would work, and we would walk out of the office with a prescription in hand. I still remember the taste of that medicine. It was pink and delicious.
Wow, off on a tangent much? 😉
Eyes sparkling, at the age of 2. They still do that, or so I’m told.
September 25, 2014
It seems that often as we grow older, we lose much of our “inner sparkle.”
In my own life, many times I feel that the world has “beaten me down” and I move like a zombie through my life.
Thanks for the reminder – excuse me now while I get on my “sparkle.” 🙂
September 25, 2014
Cheryl, that’s so true. Life has a way of dulling our sparkle. It’s so easy to get disheartened. I can so relate to feeling like the world has beaten you down. I’ve been there. I made up my mind not to let that bad stuff keep me down– life’s too short for that.
Sparkle on, sweet lady! 🙂
September 25, 2014
It tasted like bananas
September 25, 2014
Your medicine tasted like bananas? Hmmm. Mine didn’t. I’m not sure what flavor it was supposed to be, but I loved it.
September 25, 2014
Even at the age of two you had those amazing green eyes. No wonder you could charm your way out of a shot. 🙂
So, what’s the story behind this great photo? Wow, do you ever look mischievous, but in a good way.