Remember, remember to always keep the child within you
Remember, remember the 5th of November goes the old saying – and Bonfire Night is one of the biggest and most exciting nights of the year for children who love fireworks and a massive fire – and for those of us who are very happy to remain children in good ways!
via GIPHY
So perhaps “remember, remember … to always have fun” should be our watchword?
It’s true that we all have tremendous responsibilities as adults – but somewhere along the way, many of us lose our childhood instincts that, in many ways, kept us focussed on what’s real. Buddhists and those who meditate along with spiritual leaders from many different religions and different walks of life agree that being “in the moment” is paramount. And it’s this that most children achieve effortlessly because they haven’t yet been burdened with the gradually increasing weight of responsibilities that society places on us as we progress from childhood to adolescence and adulthood.
And perhaps Christmas and Bonfire night epitomise the kind of childish wonder and enjoyment of the moment itself more than any other dates in the calendar.
Yes, it’s our money going up in smoke on fireworks night – but look at the colours!
— The Guardian (@guardian) November 5, 2015
These days, though, not everyone realises the true history of Bonfire Night; where it comes from and why. The Circle tells us that Bonfire Night and spirituality have always gone hand in hand, as well as explaining the true origins of the night. And this neatly fits with the suggestion that Bonfire Night, the magic of a huge crackling fire on a cold dark night in the beginnings of the winter, along with the magic of fireworks and fireworks displays touches something deep within us – the kind of thing we felt naturally and completely unquestioningly as children.
This childlike awe of nature’s power, and the sheer possibilities and excitement of life, naturally fades, to some extent, as we become adults not least because we’ve “been there, done that”. But the real reasons we fail to find excitement in new experiences, sometimes, is because we’re burdened by too much thought about the past and the future – rather than living for the day and being “in the moment”.
We carry baggage from the past and worries about the future. But today is the only day you can live for now.
This isn’t the same thing as ignoring one’s responsibilities or not caring about the future. Instead, it’s about living in the moment and putting all your attention on the task in front of you – without simultaneous worries about the future – or regrets from the past.
by pedrosimoes7
Caption:
We all yearn for those carefree days of childhood sometimes think back to when you were a child.
Did you worry about tomorrow, continually, or about what happened yesterday? Of course not – you instinctively knew how to be here and now – and to live life to the fullest. As adults, many of us need to re-learn these skills, without simultaneously negating our responsibilities. And there’s no better time to do this than on Bonfire Night – and perhaps Christmas Eve as you share the magic with your own children.
Something a little from me today, but I wanted to talk about childhood and happiness. My childhood was a very happy one and I know it helped build solid foundations for how happy I am now!
What are your Bonfire Night plans?
Debz xx
Debz Louise is a plus-size blogger based in Yorkshire. Behind many nationwide campaigns such as #WeaAreTheThey & winner of Best Blogger at the UK Plus Size Awards, she talkas about life as a plus-size 40-something woman in South Yorkshire.
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