Relax, sing and embrace your inner child

“Happy birthday to you! .... Long life to you!... Happy birthday to you! Clapping..”

I am back to singing the full birthday song in life again. I had my birthday celebration and my daughter is now old enough to sing. It brought me back to this act of sing-song celebration. She is 2 years 9 months, and she just likes to celebrate.

All kids like to celebrate, sing, feel the joy and share that happiness as they make merry.

As I look at the pictures and video from yesterday of me singing with her, my focus was on her and how she was happy in expressing herself. All of us - me, my wife and my parents relaxed and were for some time imitating her as we forgot our cares and sang along with her. Yes the full song! We also clapped.

Somewhere in life, I dropped the singing or rather shied away from it. I grew up!

Looking back, I see many things that I let go as they didn’t conform to norms or expectations. I let the thoughts condition my life and started to behave similar to others.

What is it in a child that allows them to be care free? If they like, they roll on the grass as they like and can be one with nature.

What lets them to laugh and cry as loudly as they want to without thinking of what others would say?

When they hurt themselves or need someone, what permits them to run up to people – their parents or elders and ask for sympathy or help?

What will allow adults to consciously shed inhibitions and embrace the joy and happiness as they felt when they were young?

What can you do today to relax and embrace your inner child?

How would you feel doing that?