Be Childlike, Not Childish

Here’s a quote from a great little book that I return to every once in a while, Zen and the Art of Falling in Love:

“There is a huge difference between a childish mind and a childlike mind. Many of us remain “childish” our whole lives. We do not mature and ripen, but stay fixated upon wishes we had when we were young….When we are childish we want to always be the center of attention and grab all the goodies for ourselves. We don’t know how to give and take or make room for someone else. We life a life of self-absorption, wanting only what suits ourselves…

…The childlike mind is different…The childlike mind is open, natural and expectant. It finds beauty in life and adventure and does not expect to harm or be harmed. It plays naturally, loves to give and receive.”

Let’s be childlike, but let’s aim to outgrow the childish behavior we use as a self-defense mechanism. That behavior which harms others and keeps us isolated.