Lessons Learned from Noah

 

A friend and I unexpectedly met this morning, so we  took advantage of the opportunity to visit. “How’s the job?” “How is So-and-so?” You know the way those conversations travel from topic to topic as you strive to fill in the gap of time since the last time you spoke.

The subject of Noah came up. Noah is lovable. Noah has more energy than the rest of his family combined. Noah is passionate. Noah loves liberally. Noah is five years old.

Noah had seen our mutual friend in the mall recently. As she recounted the story, her eyes lit up with joy. She sparkled, I must say. The timbre of her voice went from a gentle voice to one filled with animation and expression.

“When he saw me, he ran into my arms and shouted!”

“I love you!!!”

She could barely contain herself, simply because of the encouragement and excitement pouring out of a five-year old.

I paused as thought of my own encounters from the week. I visited with people whose week was going great. Others seemed to be having their worst week in years. I laughed and conversed with a friend at Sonic as we ‘cussed’ and discussed every minute detail of our lives since we had seen each other 48 hours earlier. Neither of us ran to the other with so much enthusiasm that we nearly knocked the other down.

We acted civilized. We acted appropriately.

I paused to reflect on the joy exuding from a child. “Can you imagine the world we would have if we continued to share our love for others for freely and openly?” Out of the mouth of babes.

“Children at once accept joy and happiness with quick familiarity, being themselves naturally all happiness and joy.”
– Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

“Don’t postpone joy until you have learned all of your lessons. Joy is your lesson.” – Alan Cohen

 

Tagged: God, Inspiration, Les Misérables, Life, Love, People, Postaday, Quotes, Victor Hugo