Imagine approaching each experience with the wonder of a child, free from the weight of past expectations or future worries. Picture tasting foods you once disliked with fresh enthusiasm, or embarking on new ventures with a blank slate, devoid of preconceived notions of success or failure. What if we treated each situation as if it were the first, open to the possibility of being pleasantly surprised by our abilities? Children naturally embody this mindset, finding joy in each new experience. As adults, we can learn from their example, striving to stay present, open, and curious in our daily lives.

The Daniel Experiment: A Lesson in Curiosity

In both parenting and life, it's common to jump to conclusions and label people based on past experiences. We often anticipate or expect certain reactions without question. Let me share a story about Daniel, my youngest son. As a baby, he never liked the taste of avocado. For years, he gagged, made faces, and vigorously shook his head no whenever I offered it to him. By the age of three, I labeled him as someone who hated avocado and stopped offering it to him.

One day, when Daniel was four, I served guacamole with dinner. To my surprise, he requested some and insisted that he loved avocado, eating it as if he had been enjoying it for years. I could not believe my eyes. I was utterly shocked! This experience taught me a valuable lesson about the power of curiosity.

Embracing Infinite Possibilities

Often, we close our minds to curiosity, limiting the possible outcomes by making decisions and drawing conclusions in advance. We label our children based on past experiences and expect them to conform to those labels. However, who are we to decide who they are, what they can achieve, or when they will be ready to try something new?

When we remain curious about ourselves and our children, we invite exploration and curiosity into our lives. We eliminate imaginary boundaries and open ourselves to infinite possibilities. We may be shy one day and daring the next, or needy today and self-sufficient tomorrow. Embracing these changes without judgment or conclusion allows us to fully embrace who we are.

The Power of "Yet"

This is where the word “Yet” comes in. I have discovered this powerful three-letter word that has changed my life. It allows me to take my preconceived beliefs and postpone them a bit. "Daniel doesn’t like avocado" becomes "Daniel doesn’t like avocado, yet." "I don’t know how to do that” becomes “I don’t know how to do that, yet." All of a sudden anything is possible! Just one small three-letter word can change our entire perspective. It can shift us from being judgmental, rigid, and limiting, to being open, curious, and patient. That is more influential, and a much kinder way to be, both towards ourselves and our children. I invite you to try it and I'd love to hear how it works for you!