Have you ever met, or even heard of a child who’s afraid of flying? I know I haven’t.
Children have the most fun on a flight, especially during takeoff and landing, as they soak in every bit of the plane, the clouds, the miniature automobiles and buildings, the vast ocean, the awesome view – just like my 6- and 2-year olds – and it is we adults who are paranoid and imagine things and worry about the plane falling apart for no reason – just like my wife 🙂
Why? Not because children are not capable of equally powerful imagination, but because they live in the present, and not in the future. They live in the present moment, they savor what they are experiencing currently, and do not focus on anything else but what’s happening now.
The power to focus on “now” rather than “later” does not come easy. Many of us fail in life because we give too much importance to the uncertain tomorrow, rather than to the definitive present.
“What if the plane crashes during landing (or takeoff)?”
“What if my business fails?”
“What if I fail in the exam?”
“What if I don’t get the promotion?”
“What if no one buys my book?”
“What if no one likes my cooking?”
“What if I don’t get this contract?”
“What if she says no?”
“What if I lose my job?”
“What if I lose the game?”
“What if I lose my money?”
“What if I lose…?”
There are plenty of “what if’s” in life. It so happens that children ask a lot fewer such questions, than us adults.
No wonder you can’t easily pull them away from what they are focused on now.
Got Focus? Will Win.
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