Have you ever spent time watching a toddler move?

Pulling themselves up on the nearest thing they can grab, they lift themselves into position, then s-m-i-l-e. They toddle off, arms flung wide, their pace is fast – to stay upright. Then something, a bump in the sidewalk, a toy on the floor, pushes them slightly off kilter, then boom, down they go. And surprisingly, they pull themselves up and repeat the process. Curiosity and pure pleasure is what motivates them to take the bumps and bruises and keep moving.

I am so inspired by that. Their eyes light up, they let out joyful squeals, bounce up and out and RUN.  Have you experienced a few bumps and bruises and learned caution? Learned to fear risk? Developed patterns to avoid following your curiosity lest it lead you to failure or hurt?

I think this limits our capacity to live a full and rich life, overflowing with the wealth of experience open to us. Toddlers know this – the world is new and big and there to be experienced – falls, scraped knees, joy – arms flung open wide!

Is there an area in your life you would like to expand into? Do you want to stop tolerating the things that are holding you back, and embrace what could be? Let yourself say yes! Follow your natural curiosity for pleasure and delight yourself. Give yourself permission to feel joy.