One thing I like about myself (yes, it's okay to say that and start with a positive!) is that I've managed to keep a bit of my childlike wonder into adulthood.
I still get genuinely excited when I spot a beautiful bird or notice a plant pushing through the soil. Not in an "I'm retired and have nothing else to do" kind of way—but in a sincere, stop-what-I'm-doing-and-appreciate-it kind of way.
One of the things I love most about children is how excited they get about the simplest things. A bug on the sidewalk. Blowing dandelion seeds into the wind. And bubbles. We can't forget about bubbles.
Truth be told, bubbles still make me happy.
When my son was little, I invested - yes, invested - $20 in an automatic bubble machine. To this day, it remains one of the best parenting purchases I've ever made. We took that green bubble maker everywhere. We'd stand in the park surrounded by floating bubbles until the batteries died or the solution ran out, whichever came first.
The bubbles eventually stopped.
My son's fascination with them did too.
But mine never really did.
Somewhere along the way, many of us traded wonder for worry. We became so consumed by schedules, responsibilities, and the endless pursuit of more that we forgot to pause and appreciate what was already right in front of us.
Maybe it's because I've spent years traveling through some of the smallest and poorest towns. Maybe it's because I've seen firsthand that happiness isn't usually found in expensive things.
Anyone with money can buy a lavish gift. And don't get me wrong- it's nice to feel spoiled once in a while. But what has always meant the most to me is thoughtfulness. The time spent planning something meaningful. The intention behind a surprise. The simple act of making someone feel seen.
Growing up in the late '70s and '80s, we made our own fun. We collected ladybugs in jars, dug for worms, rode our bikes until dark, and were lucky if we got an hour of television.
Ironically, I happily lived without a TV for six years as an adult—until my thoughtful boyfriend recently gifted me a giant flatscreen.
"It's for movie nights," he said.
Honestly, that's difficult to argue with.
We probably turn it on twice a month. What we use it for most is playing old-school Nintendo games.
And before you ask, I never let my son win.
Not once.
My philosophy was simple: life doesn't hand out participation trophies. When he finally beat me, he earned it—and because he earned it, the victory meant something.
The older I get, the more I realize that the best parts of life aren't flashy. They're often small, simple, and easy to overlook.
A thoughtful gesture.
A shared laugh.
A surprise visit.
A beautiful bird.
A handful of bubbles floating through the air.
So here's my gentle reminder for this week:
Embrace your inner child.
Buy the bubbles.
You'll be surprised what they bring back.
Stay young.
-Julie
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