Let's be children again
"The child who does not play is not a child, but the man who does not play has lost forever the child who lived in him and whom he will miss terribly." — Pablo Neruda
I really enjoyed what I did yesterday—leaving early, walking aimlessly, going from café to café, discovering new places, and marveling at the beauty of the city.
The weather was spectacular, with a clear, bright blue sky.
After leaving the first café, where I spent some time writing, I headed to another spot. I had no destination in mind; I just wanted to walk and let myself wander.
Then I stumbled upon one of those parks you can’t resist visiting.
It wasn’t anything extraordinary, but it was peaceful.
I found a quiet bench bathed in sunlight—the perfect place to sit down, read, and soak up some vitamin D.
Sitting there with my Kindle in hand, I started to read.
The sunlight hit me from head to toe, and since it was a little chilly, the warmth felt amazing.
As I kept reading, a small soccer ball rolled toward my feet, followed closely by a toddler chasing after it.
Without thinking twice, I gently kicked the ball back to him, but it slipped away in another direction.
Without hesitation, as if it were a matter of life and death, the little boy kept running after the ball.
What amazes me, and continues to amaze me about children, is their ability to forget everything around them—not that they have much to worry about—and just be present, fully committed to whatever they’re doing.
The joy they radiate, the innate ability to smile even when they stumble and fall, and their power to share that joy with others.
It’s beautiful to witness. One of the most heartwarming experiences in life is seeing that innocence, that joy, that love in its purest form.
"A child can always teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to demand with all his might what he desires." — Paulo Coelho
All he needed was a simple ball. He didn’t even need a playmate.
It wasn’t just enough for him—it was perfect. He wasn’t looking for anything else, and everything he did was genuine.
He was a little prince on a mission to play and make others smile. And he succeeded with me, though to be fair, I’m easily amused.
In some way, he reminded me of that part of myself—my inner child.
It’s okay, every now and then, to forget who we are and remember who we once were, living it.
It’s okay to just be present and not worry too much about the future.
It’s okay to reconnect with ourselves, to let that child come out and have a little fun—with life, with others, and with ourselves.
It’s okay to feel good, even if just for a moment.
It’s okay to let go and go with the flow.
It’s okay to move with life and not try to control everything.
It’s okay not to take life too seriously, to act silly every now and then, and to chase after that ball as if nothing else in the world mattered.
To stop time, merge with it, and mentally disappear—only to reappear fully present, just like you once knew how to do… but forgot.
But don’t worry.
There will always be a child to remind you.