Having a child has made me really aware of how often we follow constraining rules of behavior and are quick to judge the behavior of others and ourselves even if there is really no reason for it.
Sometimes I'll catch myself telling Quinn not to do something and then realize it's really fine for him to do whatever it is - maybe it is a little less convenient for me (eg walking up the stairs in some manner that makes it take ten times as long as the conventional way might), or maybe it's a little embarrassing or just unconventional or silly and that makes me self-conscious.
I thought of this this morning at breakfast when Quinn decided that he and I should wear birthday hats (his birthday was last week) during our breakfast 'oatmeal party'. Not what I would typically do, but hey, why the hell not?
A very very small example, but one of many ways that kids are the perfect example of the Zen concept of Beginner's Mind
The kind of openness and 'why not?' attitude that Quinn has is definitely a good inspiration and constant reminder for me of my desire to be more present, less judgmental and more of a beginner.
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