Pat, a high school friend of mine, sent me an e-mail today that made me smile:
I overheard Isabelle, the four-year-old little neighbor girl, who was finally able to climb up on the swingset and swing by herself, singing at the top of her lungs: ” I can swing by myself; it’s the best day ever. It is spring and it is beautiful; and I can swing by myself.” So much joy!
Ah, if only we all could find such joy in life’s ordinary moments! It reminds me of another little girl, my friend Leslye’s niece. Leslye said her little niece woke up, walked to the window, looked out, and gasped:
It’s a brand new day!
As a proud father, I’d like to add one more Cub Quote to the mix. When my daughter, Erin, was eight years old, she and my visiting sister were sleeping in a bed downstairs at my mom’s house. My sister, Cyn, was trying to sleep but Erin kept wriggling around. Cyn told her to settle down and Erin said:
I’m just so excited about being alive!
Hurrah for the beauty and sweetness of children!
KIDS SAY THE PROFOUNDEST THINGS!
THE JOY OF CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE
KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS ABOUT GOD!
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, is a road map for living a more peaceful, beautiful life. It’s the one book that explains how dozens of spiritual principles interact, how to weave them together into a cohesive worldview, and how to practically apply this spiritual wisdom to daily life.
Who will benefit from reading Through God’s Eyes?
Anyone who is on a spiritual path, or wants to start one.
Anyone who loves life, or wants to learn how to.
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SEE EVERY MOMENT AS A GIFT
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Phil’s eBook, The Logic of Living a Spiritual Life: Supporting a Life of Faith Through Logic and Reason, is now available for 99 cents.
Order it at GodIsLogical.com.
In this eBook, you’ll find answers to questions like:
• What is the cornerstone of a spiritual life, and why?
• What is the secret to liberating yourself from other people’s judgments and expectations?
• How do you reconcile the “free will vs. Divine Will” conundrum?
• Why is there an exception to “Everything happens for a reason”?
Those who worship logic instead of God are only half right. Not only is it logical to believe in God and to live a faith-based life, the existence of a loving, benevolent God that governs all creation is perhaps the only systematic worldview that explains every aspect of life.
Phil is also the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent authors and thought leaders he interviewed. The roster of storytellers includes Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Neale Donald Walsch, Caroline Myss, Larry Dossey, Rachel Naomi Remen, Bernie Siegel, Dean Ornish, and Christiane Northrup. Sixty Seconds has been translated into four languages: Italian, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories.
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Tags: beauty, childhood innocence, joy, kids, naivete, spiritual, sweetness
Triumph of the Spirit 
April 15, 2009 at 6:36 AM
What wonderful quotes! Seeing the world through children’s eyes is one of the greatest gifts any person could receive. Children can teach us much about keeping the joy within our adult selves alive.
I’m reading a book that is aimed at parents which I recommend for anyone who has children in their lives: The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness: Five steps to help kids create and sustain lifelong joy. Edward M. Hallowell is the author. It talks about that sense of wonder and joy children have and how love and connection, above all else, will give children the best chance of growing up to be happy, resilient adults.
Thanks, Phil.
April 15, 2009 at 6:42 AM
Thanks, Kate! I know that you’re passionate about this subject and have already made a difference in many children’s lives . . . including ours!
April 15, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Phil, let’s not forget your own daughter to remind us to be happy. I’m not sure how old she was when she was lying in the hide-a-bed with me (her adoring Auntie) at Mom’s and she just kept wiggling and fidgeting and I finally asked her why she couldn’t settle down, and your little peanut answered, “I’m just so excited about being alive!”
April 15, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Right you are, Noncat! I just added that story to the post!
April 15, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Wow.
My great-nephew is 3 1/2, and is sorely missing out on the joy he deserves. His parents are messily separated, and not putting Jordan first. I don’t know if she’ll read it, but Kate, I’m going to get the book you suggested for my niece.
Thanks Phil and Kate.
April 15, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Best of luck, Deb. It’s heartbreaking to hear of parents who do not put their children ahead of their own concerns in situations like this.