.. get up again.

How quickly we learn as children... soaking in the world around us, greedily learning and growing. It's one of the greatest travesties in life when these wondrous little humans are not allowed to experience and see and explore. I remember the first time I recognized children "listened" to our words, when a slang or curse word (in that time period, likely "darn" or "stupid") was repeated with ease, but without knowledge of meaning.  It was shocking, and a little annoying... but super cool!  (and terrifying, for the less well intentioned humans who pose as guides through life).

How quickly we stop learning... or perhaps, our hearts are hardened. Maybe there's a defining moment in life that "teaches" us change and learning and growing is not worthwhile. We lose something, turning inwards and protecting instead of reaching out. The mystery and magic of life, once so precious and bright, seems to get diminished.  It's nearly pounded into our heads and operating systems as we grow, the world will one day be "regular"... once you grow up, life will be hard. Without stimulation, hot and cold always return to lukewarm.

We start to forget how to play...

My favorite activity early in the days of working with my little man C, was to simply play along side and mimic his actions. He would lay a block, and so would I. He would add another in a certain pattern, and so would I.  This copy cat rhythm continued until he became aware of the mirror affect of his actions, starting to watch as his moves were repeated.  Suddenly, at the right moment, I would act first.. and almost inevitably, he would copycat.  Hesitantly at first, but then with amusement at the game. Soon..  we were playing.  Magic!  

(for those of you that care, this is a credible technique of play therapy with children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, as a method to learn how to play and interact and teach through these elements).

Tonight, I have learned.. and I'm delighted. Perhaps its the magic books and shows I've been watching as of late, where the mind is encouraged to view the world in an expanded and seemingly impossible way. Sure, it may all be stuff and nonsense, but the idea that time is not linear... now, I can certainly get on board that train.  Or maybe it's simple wisdom and freedom from consistent belligerent stubbornness.

To put it very simply:  it turns out that pre-emptively taking cold and sinus medicine (at the first sign of symptoms) combined with two days of rest, will actually stop true body wrenching sickness from happening!  A fever can be kept at bay, throat untouched, and sinuses clear.  And yes, I am amazed.  Go ahead and judge.. I credit the success more to my well-tailored and strong immune system (free of medications throughout most of life)!  But nonetheless, thanks to the folks that made the cylindrical pills!

Although a seemingly trivial example, I find myself just as surprised that it took me "so long" to learn various lessons.  Still. Our brain needs to develop.. life needs to be experienced.. trauma impacts, thwarts, and stunts growth.  And these are necessary processes, despite my impatience.  

A corny phrase, "and why do we fall down? ... so we can get back up again", comes to mind. But whether it is spoken in a Batman superhero movie to Christian Bale, or to a child who's scuffed their knee, or to a man who's relapsed on crack, or to a nearly defeated soccer team... the meaning remains the same, and true.

So we get back up...under our own power or with help... and we learn!