I believe I can fly…..I believe I can touch the sky….

This line from a song runs through my head as I write this. What we believe profoundly influences our life experience. The same situation can be perceived as either good or bad by different people. What if there was an alternative to good or bad?  What if we could simply choose how to feel in any situation? What if, based on that choice, our lives became immeasurably happier, regardless of whether our life situation had actually changed? (I love happy creative what-ifs).  Instead of asking “Why me?” when things aren’t going well, what if we could ask, “How can I use this for good?”

So what do I believe about life?

You’ve guessed it, I’m an optimist. I believe in choosing happiness in every situation; my philosophy is that every challenge is an opportunity. Accidents and mistakes are great ways to learn, no experience is ever wasted on this journey of learning we call life. A sense of gratitude completely changes our everyday experiences. I believe in finding beauty everywhere.

I believe in God, and enjoy sharing my faith with the children I look after. I think it is very reassuring for both children and adults to know that there is a Supreme Being out there who cares deeply about each one of us and created a planet of such beauty and wonder to be our home.

What do I believe about children?

I believe a small child can be wise in her innocence because she can see more clearly than us, with all the clutter we keep in our heads. She can be her own best teacher, as she is unconsciously aware of what she needs to learn, what connections to make in order to build networks in her brain from moment to moment. Even a baby or very young pre-verbal child can communicate their preferences, choices and discoveries to us, as well as show us everything we need to know to care for them.  All we need to do is tune in, watch and really listen… we don’t need to always take charge and muscle in. I also believe children (and adults, if we could only see past the modern world) have a deep need to be close to Nature… and that free play, time to just ‘be’, and explore, is the most precious time in a child’s life.

    

   

And …. what about you? What do you believe? I’d love to know.