When I first envisioned this trip, I thought it would be more of an educational experience for our son Niko who is just over 3. The fact of the matter is that we have been learning more from him than I could have ever imagined. It’s strange to think that a 35 year old can learn from a 3 year old, but it’s true. As I now have much more time to observe him, there are a few attributes I find invaluable. One that stands out the most is his ability to enjoy the moment rather than just the goal.
As adults, we find ourselves focusing on the result rather than the process. Let me try to illustrate. The path from Natasza’s parents house to the playground in the forest is just over 800 meters. It takes an adult approximately 10 minutes to reach the destination. How long do you think it takes Niko? Just about 45 minutes.
Sounds like a long time … doesn’t it? I have captured the following video to help show you what a typical walk looks like.
Isn’t it amazing how Niko enjoys every step of the way? Perhaps it’s true when people say, it’s the journey that matters not just the destination.
So what have we learned? We learned that instead of teaching our kids ways to live faster, perhaps we should just open our eyes, slow down and enjoy the moment?