Childhood is supposedly the happiest time of our lives. But I never understood the concept until now. Don’t you think that the phase of life when a person has no brains, no source of income, no life-partner, no power, no identity, should be the worst phase of life? But, like many things, the secret of a child’s happiness is a work of the ‘psyche’ or the mind. What is the most extensively found characteristic among children? Cuteness? No. Innocence? Definitely not! The quality ubiquitous in juveniles is Curiosity.

Children are so involved in their own world that even serious threatening global issues mean nothing to them. But do note that being self involved and being engrossed in their own world are phrases that are poles apart in what they imply. The former implies to the habit of being egoistic. Adults and adolescents are usually egoistic. The latter, however is the secret behind childhood bliss. Let me enunciate how curiosity fits into this world of theirs.

You see, the moment a birth takes place, the process of learning starts, until the day the person dies. First he learns through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch and then eventually through words. When he begins to speak, his learning process multiplies its speed by manifold purely because the curiosity that resides within him is simply uncontainable. During this process, his mind barely has the intellect or the time to introspect. With everything around a child so new, so exciting, would he rather be immersed in self-contemplation? This is why a child finds himself more mirthful than adults. He doesn’t find faults in his life and is much happier than an adult who knows and laments those holes in his life.

A child’s mind is continuously working although; his mind consists of much lighter and inconsequential thoughts. He is yet untouched by the brutal reality of the world. The reality which consists of an omni-present and backbreaking pressure/need to earn money, to shoulder responsibilities and the worst, to fit in the world and make an identity. We grow up, we face the reality of life and forget the beauty of the world. We cease to believe that life is a blessing and this earth a gift.

With Childhood comes a brief grace period

of ignorant Bliss – When…

you are not aware of the pain around you.

That, is the most special, truly unique time.

It is the core of adult lament…

Barry Privet

The magnificence and wonder of life dissolves when we quit seeing the world from a child’s eye. We let go of the little things that truly matter and aim for the relatively pointless and worthless goals. The curiosity which resides within the younger version of you should never be allowed to die and should remain consistent till you die.

But being blissfully unaware and dangerously curious is the essence of childhood. Unfortunately, grown-ups can’t have that again. Hope you didn’t let yours pass without making it count!

Author:

Farheen Ahmed – Class XI, Seedling Modern Public School, Udaipur