The Energy of Youth
Is there anybody out there… that does not recall being asked to settle down or control their energy? Or maybe just to try to focus more of their energy in the “right direction”?
Do you remember a time where you did not have to tap into energy stores… but rather had to look for ways to vent or release an abundance of pent up energy?
I have to reach way back in the archives to recall those times. I am at the point where I have to draw a breath and prepare to get up out of bed… or up off the couch. Even setting down sometimes seems like an effort. But I do remember those times from my younger years!
I tend to get reminded of them as I live near a school… and attend church fairly often. Those were two of the places I remember being like a tea pot with the lid starting to bounce and rattle… right on the edge of a real blow. Steam rising with a whistle just starting to resonate… when you get the “Shhhhhh” from somebody. Trying so hard to suppress the urges that your body starts twitching and shaking… and you get the look… and maybe a hushed “Sit Still”! But you can’t!!!
I mustered the energy last night to walk downtown to take advantage of our towns Holly Days celebration. I could hear live music… and always enjoy watching a band perform. So, after dinner I resisted the urge to “veg” in front of the TV… and go experience some “action”.
As I got closer there was a new band setting up and starting to check their sound. And I knew elsewhere they were having a “family dance” that was likely about to wrap up. So, I walked over there just to see what was going on… recalling when I enjoyed such things with my kids. It was your typical mix of couples really dancing… couples or groups swaying and talking… and then there are the kids. Not that kids can’t dance… but often their energy level is just too high to do anything other than just bounce and run around.
I remember being a parent… and knowing you have to teach kids to behave in a safe and respectful manor. Yet also not wanting to suppress their need to be kids while they still can!
Like so many things in life… it does not always seem fair to have all that energy spilling over in your youth… only to have to scrape the bottom of the barrel as you get old. At one point I leaned over to one of the parents and said… “Man I wish I could borrow some of that energy”! The truth is… I think to some degree we can.
Instead of being an old fart and shhhh-shing or fussing… use the opportunity of being around kids to observe… appreciate… and maybe soak up some of that energy they have splashing over from their tanks! Enjoy… even revel in watching them display the kind of energy you can only dream of mustering!! Instead of trying to suppress it… maybe help them channel it… and soak up all you can of it. We all know it starts to fade soon enough. Let them use it while they still have it… and sprinkle some over onto us as they do!!!