Childhood

“Genius is the recovery of childhood at will.”
– Arthur Rimbaud

I love this quote by Rimbaud because it suggests that it is possible to recall and recreate one’s childhood. In childhood, we experience life all fresh and new. In childhood, we are free and uninhibited. To recall those years is a powerful influence on our present life. To be able to recreate those years, however, is a splendid gift for which one should express profound gratitude.

One of the quirks of the English language is that no one objects to being called “childlike” but most of us object strenuously to being called “childish.” Gandhi is wise, venerable, and “childlike.” On a bad day, on the other hand, if you are having an argument with your partner and they bring out the ultimate weapon and label your behavior “childish,” you might never recover from the blow!

This chapter is about recalling what it means to be “childlike.” Recalling our childhood is like looking into a magic mirror. We look in the mirror for comfort when our lives are difficult. We look in the mirror to restore the magic to our lives when our lives have grown stale. We look in the mirror in order to recall who we really are. All the while, we wonder why everything had to change.

In childhood we discover the world. I enjoyed watching my children discover the wonder of vending machines. All I had to do was say, “Here is some change, why don’t you go pick out a snack?” Their little faces would beam with delight! They enjoyed inserting the coins! They appeared thrilled beyond words when they pulled the lever and their snack appeared! What a wonderful machine! Their childlike enthusiasm knew no bounds!

In childhood, we first discover falling in love. I believe many of us remain uncomfortably “childlike” when it comes to navigating these emotional waters. This is probably all to the good, but helps explain why our love lives are seldom associated with words like “wisdom” and “maturity.” Do you recall the first time you fell in love?

Here are three truly extraordinary movies about childhood. I hope they help you recall those magical years!