What did you leave behind?

One said the keys to living a happy and fulfilling life don't have to be learnt as we grow up. They were simply "unlearnt" as we grew up. The below is his idea and a story.

All we needed to find peace and joy in life we possessed as children. But as we grew up, the increasing demands, prejudices, and social conditioning of this world robbed us of our natural aptitude for living.

Things like faith, unconditional love, the enjoyment of simple things, an innocent playfulness - these things are gradually eroded from our consciousness until finally we lose sight of them forever. This is called adulthood.

In these days of life-altering sciences, mindless idolatry, dizzying technology, and soulless media, children are in increasing danger of losing their natural zest for life, love, and hope at an earlier age.

It has become more imperative than ever to ensure that children are allowed to develop their inherent faith and love for innocence and nature. At the same time, we should constantly and consciously strive to learn from children, the things that make their lives carefree and happy. The things we have simply forgotten.

A story by Laverne W. Hall tells of a town ravaged by a severe drought?

The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops lay wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain came.

The ministers of the local churches called for an hour of prayer on the town square the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring on object of faith for inspiration.

At high noon on the appointed Saturday the townspeople turned out en masse, filling the square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The ministers were touched to see the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands ... holy books, crosses, rosaries.

When the hour ended, as if on magical command, a soft rain began to fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high in gratitude and praise. From the middle of the crowd one faith symbol seemed to overshadow all the others.

A small nine-year old child had brought an umbrella.

Children know that happiness, faith, and love are not to be found in objects like money, crucifixes, and expensive presents.

The amazingly simple and absolutely profound things that children are capable of are easily observable, if only you allow yourself to see them.