Week Thirty-Nine: Unbridled Enthusiasm

There's something I've noticed, and it's become more and more blatant the more time I spend with young children*.

When young children see something that makes them happy, they show it in every molecule of their body. They see no reason to tone down the absolute joy that they feel. If something is exciting, they jump up and down, squealing with glee. When they find someone who likes the same thing that they like, it's a cause for a party.

Here's the thing. When we grow older, many, many people lose that unbridled enthusiasm. We go from showing our happiness on every inch of our bodies to hiding the fact that we're enjoying inside ourselves. At some point, it's like there's an unspoken rule that a certain amount of joy and outwardly expressed emotion that becomes uncool.

Now, pardon me, but this is where I would like to jump in. I think that the idea that we have to squelch the fact that we're happy is complete and utter bollocks. The whole "cool people don't subtly jump up and down, quietly cheering when they find the book that they wanted at the library" idea is completely absurd.

I know many, many people who have a bunch of wonderful interests, and yet, most of the time, they live in a state of restraining themselves from letting themselves really become enthusiastic about what makes them happy.

When you can't even express your joy outwardly, I think that's so very sad. Furthermore, when people do express the fact that they're excited, I've actually seen them apologize for it. Being enthusiastic is not a bad thing, people. Let's stop treating it as such.

So go ahead, enthuse about your favorite books. Spend the whole day in excited anticipation of a new episode of a TV show. Do a happy spin because you've found the exact tea you wanted at the grocery store.

Just don't let enthusiasm die out. Please. If enthusiasm dies, what a bland world we'd have.

Happy Saturday, everyone!





*And by "young children", I pretty much mean anyone from the age 6 to 11...loosely around there, at least.