Run, Laugh, and Imagine
Last night I went for a walk and while I was walking I started thinking about how I used to run everywhere when I was a kid. It sparked a few disturbing questions...
Why do children run, while men and women walk? As we grow older do we forget that there are things worth running for or running towards? Have we been disappointed by so many anticlimatic anticipations that we walk, so we can delay the next inevitable disappointment? Are men and women afraid to run because it shows a certain amount of vulnerability (running excitedly towards one thing or running scared from another)?
Why do children laugh freely, while men and women need something to laugh at? When we grow up, is there no longer any reason to laugh (unless it's tragic or ironic)? Is it wrong to laugh out of pure joy? Have we lost the joy that allows us to laugh?
Why are children embarrased by being "bad" and proud of being "good", while men and women are embarrased by being "good" and proud of being "bad"?
Why do children look for the mystery and magic in the things around them, while men and women deny the existence of anything magical or mysterious? Does becoming an adult mean you need answers to every question? Is a sense of control or a sense of understanding more important than a sense of awe or a sense of wonder?
God's Word tells us that when we become adults we are to set aside our childish way of thinking, but He didn't mean for us to stop running, laughing, or looking for magic. I think what is meant by this is a maturing of thought, an understanding and acceptance of responsibility, but this doesn't need to come at the expense of wonder and joy, does it? Can we not carry with us the joy which makes us run and laugh, and the mystery and magic that opens our imaginations, into adulthood?
I have a great respect for grown men and women who are able to run, laugh, be joyful and good, and let their imaginations run wild... What a freedom that must be!!!
Why do children run, while men and women walk? As we grow older do we forget that there are things worth running for or running towards? Have we been disappointed by so many anticlimatic anticipations that we walk, so we can delay the next inevitable disappointment? Are men and women afraid to run because it shows a certain amount of vulnerability (running excitedly towards one thing or running scared from another)?
Why do children laugh freely, while men and women need something to laugh at? When we grow up, is there no longer any reason to laugh (unless it's tragic or ironic)? Is it wrong to laugh out of pure joy? Have we lost the joy that allows us to laugh?
Why are children embarrased by being "bad" and proud of being "good", while men and women are embarrased by being "good" and proud of being "bad"?
Why do children look for the mystery and magic in the things around them, while men and women deny the existence of anything magical or mysterious? Does becoming an adult mean you need answers to every question? Is a sense of control or a sense of understanding more important than a sense of awe or a sense of wonder?
God's Word tells us that when we become adults we are to set aside our childish way of thinking, but He didn't mean for us to stop running, laughing, or looking for magic. I think what is meant by this is a maturing of thought, an understanding and acceptance of responsibility, but this doesn't need to come at the expense of wonder and joy, does it? Can we not carry with us the joy which makes us run and laugh, and the mystery and magic that opens our imaginations, into adulthood?
I have a great respect for grown men and women who are able to run, laugh, be joyful and good, and let their imaginations run wild... What a freedom that must be!!!
“The function of the imagination is not to make strange things settled, so much as to make settled things strange.”
~ G.K. Chesterton
posted by Lee at 5:41 p.m.
2 Comments:
Lee, I like all your observations. Becoming an adult seems weird sometimes. :) It's easier to feel like you have to behave a certain way when you grow more concious of what other's might think of you. Children are blessed with a certain kind of ignorance- I think most adults have to learn to have that kind of blissful ignorance again, myself included.
Hello Lee,
I do not run because it often hurts now. The injuries that caused the discomfort are not a metaphor for life. I still want to run, I still go up the stairs two at a time and try to go down as fast as possible...when no-one is watching. Have you given up the desire to run or is it just that people are watching? I really do not know why I have created this box of things I can do when no-one is watching but it still exists. Maybe I just have to become ignorant to it like Carla said.
Aaron
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