Do you remember when “shut up” was a bad word? Or when the biggest incentive was to win a Good Citizen Award? When naptime and recess were a regular part of the day? The good ol’ days of elementary school. How easy life was back then, a time where our biggest worries were whether we would get that toy for our birthday and if we would finally be able to cross those monkey bars.
Oh, how I miss those days of naptime, Disney movies, and play dates. Unfortunately, turning back the clock isn’t an option. As we’ve aged, so have our responsibilities. No more homework assignments of coloring the monkey, or the “chore” of making the bed. And with everything going on in our lives, somewhere along the way, we got lost.
Knee deep in assignments to finish and things to take care of, we’ve lost sight of everything joyful and bright in the world. And yet young children, barely 6 or 7, seem to enjoy life more than us. It’s almost as if kindergarteners know the secret to happiness better than we do.
And it’s not just pure joy that we’ve lost with age. With every milestone we reach in life, we lose some things we can never get back. Innocence, and with it, curiosity of what everything is and how everything works. Objectiveness, and accepting everyone, no matter what background, without judgment. And most of all, imagination. And I’m not talking about just the I’m-a-creative-person kind. I’m talking about the I-can-make-up-a-story-right-now-from-the-top-of-my-head-and-it’ll-make-sense (but be absolutely absurd and crazy) kind. Or the I-have-an imaginary-friend kind. The kind only little kids seem to be able to fully grasp.
All of this begs the question, what would the world be like if it were run by 5-year-olds? They have characteristics of good leaders—optimistic, confident, resourceful, and open to new ideas and new people. Perhaps we might find ourselves trapped in a chaotic mess of crashing stock markets, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited resources. But then again, perhaps we might finally find a way to work together and understand one another. After all, kids seem to be able to tell everyone what they think in a way that makes you see things from their point of view rather than trying to shove it down your throat, something we could all learn.
So how do we go back to carefree times of yesteryears? The solution is simple, and literally—living simplistically. Spend less time on the computer and smartphone and more in front of the fire with hot chocolate and friends. Take evening strolls around the neighborhood, and stay out afterwards to watch the sunset. No matter how old you get, never hesitate to jump in puddles or catch fireflies. Stop and smell the flowers, and always eat chocolate. Oh, and teachers? It wouldn’t hurt to assign less homework. Less work for you to grade anyway.
We are the future, but we are also our past. We have pushed ourselves so far that it’s an acomplishment to have only slept for three hours a night. So now its time to step back and take a little me time to reminise on the days of kindegarten, Disney movies, monkey bars, and naptime dreams. #

(This column represents the opinion of the writer.)