The Game of Life: College Edition Be a kid again

I’m sure you all noticed the chilly weather happening in Florida that is at a level we aren’t used to. Over here in Pensacola is no different, we had a record snow fall that hasn’t been broken since 1954! That being said, we didn’t have school or practice for a couple of days which I planned on using for schoolwork and cleaning. While I did get that stuff done, I wasn’t too worried about going outside and playing in the snow. That is until I got a call from my two best friends saying they were downstairs and to, quite literally, “come play!” At this time I had been shut up in my room working on an essay for my graduate seminar class, but once I got that call I bundled up and met them in the snow. Thank goodness I did! It was even more beautiful than it had been from my balcony, and even more fun to play in with my closest friends there. That moment really brought me back to when I was younger and went out to recess or to a friend’s house to hangout and play. That reminiscent feeling came almost as shockingly as the cold snow did on my hands. I have definitely had my fair share of fun in college, but probably not as much as I should. In that moment during the snow day, I felt more like a kid than I had in years. In that moment, that essay I was working on didn’t matter, anticipation for our first game at the end of the month left my mind, and I was completely engulfed in childhood joy that I had pushed aside for so long until it felt almost foreign to me. I am beyond grateful that God has blessed me with friends that make sure I don’t miss out on moments like those. Even still, there are times where we need to keep our own selves in check with our inner child. No matter how old you are, there are things that make you feel like a kid again. Take note of those things and moments. Periodically put yourself in those positions where you can tap into that childhood joy and let the rest of ‘reality’ melt away for a few minutes. That’s one of, if not the best mental refresher I can advise for any of us on our journey. It’s also one that gets neglected way too often (as I have done). These snow days reminded me to take care of my inner child, and hopefully they can do the same for you.