One of the peculiar habits which I truly take pleasure in, though feeling a bit childlike about it, is when I buy a new diary or a notebook and smell the fresh pages of it. And then like an innocent child raring to go, I pull out a blue fountain pen from my pen stand and write my name on it! And I just love doing that. I do all this within a fraction of a second after getting a new diary/ notebook home. And I do it hurriedly, as if somebody were standing right behind me, trying to snatch my notebook from me, trying to claim it by writing his or name overleaf.

And then, after I do it, I realize it might seem little odd….!this childlike behavior I mean…But then, who cares?? That moment is mine–when I get a new writing pad home, and write my name on it. It’s trivial, but it gives me joy. And that’s what really matters.

One day, one of my friends witnessed me doing this, and she was like “Are you going back in time and age?” To which I responded, “What did I do? All I did was smelled the notebook, and scribbled my name on it.” Is it a big deal?”

There’s a child in each one of us, hidden somewhere in the core of our persona. It’s just that we’ve grown; outgrown into sane adults, so much, that we’ve lost being children somewhere in the process of growing up too much, too fast. We’ve completely left the child in us behind somewhere. But if we awaken that child in us sometimes, he/ she will wake up agreeably and then that moment itself will give us an enduring fun and moment of joy worth cherishing lifelong.

The escalating responsibilities, or the ever increasing challenges and realities in life which we face as adults have made us forget the trivial laughter and the innocent childlike behavior and the fact has slipped out of our practical minds that being childlike sometimes can indeed be fun.

If even a fraction of truth doesn’t exist in my statement, “There is a child hidden in each one of us”, why on earth do we see adults relishing their bite of ice cream cones on sweaty summer nights right beside those well lit ice cream parlors? Why do we see adults watching a cricket match completely immersed, on a stadium, screaming and yelling at the top of their lungs, cheering their favored team? Why do we see adults come out of their houses and burst fire crackers with their neighbors during Diwali? Why do we see them whole heartedly enjoying the festival of colors, full of vigor and fervor? If this is not being childlike, what is? …..

So what’s the harm getting into a child gear and child mode, once in a while, or may be little bit more so and letting your hair down and living life to the fullest?

Children they say are the epitome of innocence and playfulness. And no one does these things better than them. It comes naturally to them. Deriving immense joy from the littlest things of life is what they do best and in the process, they subtly let us know too, how much fun it is to imbibe little pleasures.

So why should I really care a cinch before smelling that new notebook? Why should I think twice before hurriedly writing my name on that new diary? Even if momentarily my behavior might come across weird, there’s some hidden fun in being weird. If I enjoy doing that, why should I try to think overtly rational? If you love blowing those bubbles, why should you think twice before indulging in it? Why should a thought like this occur to your mind– “What If Someone watches me doing that silly childlike thing?”….

So, the next time you feel like singing a song, don’t hesitate to join in the melody. The next time you feel like running around playing a game of hide and seek, do be a part of family picnic and treat yourself to the game. The next time your child asks for a candy floss or Cadbury, and if you too feel the craving to have it, just go for it. Don’t get bogged down by “Healthy Eating” thoughts, exactly at that time. It will be a wrong timing, and the moment will slip away right in front of your eyes, leaving you empty handed……

Someday we all grow up, knowingly or unknowingly. But a little two steps back once in a while into being a part of “child zone” will confer us a kind of inner delight, which will indirectly help us in being what we truly/ supposedly are—–Rational Adults!…..

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