Discover Your Innocence

In our innocence, we have yet to accomplish anything, therefore, we allow curiosity to be our wings, guiding the divine path we walk.

October 31, 2019

"Be game–take a chance–don’t hide behind veils and veils of discretion…Go forward with what you have to say, expressing things as you see them. You are new evidence, fresh and young. Your work, the spirit of youth, you are the progress of human evolution. If age dulls you it will be time enough then to be ponderous and heavy–or quit. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to be young, to continue growing–not to settle and accept." — Robert Henri, Painter & Teacher

At the end of the 19th century, author L. Frank Baum penned at elegant and captivating children's book called The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Most of us have seen the classic film, which continually ranks as one of the top twenty-five movies of all time. The essence of the story centers around a young girl named Dorothy Gale, who dreams she is in a faraway world of witches, munchkins, and friends in need of the essential human qualities such as heart, intelligence, and courage. Dorothy's dream is moving her from innocence with every experience and encounter. Even when she meets the good witch, she yearns to return home, reuniting with her Aunt and Uncle and resuming her innocent lifestyle. Dorothy learns that only one powerful and almighty person could ever properly return her home—The Wizard of Oz. For all of us, we need to rediscover our Wizard within and return to the time where innocence was the key to truly experiencing the fullness and richness of life. As artist Pablo Picasso said, "It takes a very long time to become young."

When we live from a place of innocence and youthfulness, we never begin with the end in mind. We never judge anyone or want to hear ourselves talk. We do not allow the ego to override our life, and most of all, we never echo the words, "well, this is the way I have always done it." Because in our innocence, we have yet to accomplish anything, therefore, we allow curiosity to be our wings, guiding the divine path we walk.

As we venture from innocence to experiences of adulthood, we develop "Functional Fixedness," which means we analyze and solve every problem in the same old fixed manner. We become robotic in our thoughts and ways of living. The phrase "We have always done it like this" is the essence of functional fixedness. We refuse to accept differing viewpoints in part because we feel our lifelong experience allows us to remove curiosity from our mindsets.

As we unlearn to relearn and rediscover the Wizard that lives within each of us, make sure you explore the following:

  1. Always have the courage to walk alone on your chosen path.

  2. Discover better ways to get better.

  3. Good things are never easy. It takes intentional, hard, and focused work.

  4. Take a recess every day. Create time to disconnect with your devices and reconnect with yourself.

  5. Study at night intently.

  6. Get a yearly check-up. Don't fear the doctor, and do not fear the truth.

  7. Never begin with the end in mind. Hold yourself accountable for your judgments.

  8. Don't become obsessed with your piggy bank. Follow your passion, not your wallet.

  9. Make friends easily. Be willing to let people into your world. Vulnerability is a gift.

  10. Practice acts of kindness while sharing your wisdom with others.

So does following the "Yellow Brick Road" actually work? It does if we regain our innocence and mindfully find opportunities to cultivate our youthfulness each day with acceptance, curiosity, enthusiasm, and love!

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