It was a Tuesday morning, and I was in a rush to cross campus and check off the next item on my agenda for the day. My class had run late, and I was cutting it dangerously close to make it to chapel on time. I mentally ran through all the things I needed to accomplish for the day and started planning the thesis for my next paper as I walked. There was so much to get done and not much time left in the school year to accomplish it all.
In the middle of my hectic multitasking, an animated child tumbled across the grassy triangle to catch up with me. He stopped on the sidewalk in front of me and thrust something into my hand. As he scampered away, I heard his little voice call out, “Have a nice day!” In my hands I held a beautiful watercolor butterfly made out of a coffee filter and cinched together by a pipe cleaner.
I walked the rest of the way to chapel, smiling and breathing just the slightest bit deeper.
An hour later walking to my dorm, two more kids came careening forward to deliver their treats – lollipops with little messages attached.
A few days later, I found myself surrounded by a gaggle of children, all eager to know if I would stand still for a minute, so they could draw my portrait for me.
A couple days after that, I was presented with a homemade card from my music students, thanking me for teaching them about beat, rhythms and instruments.
To those preschoolers, I was just another one of the big kids who they would stop and share their treasures with, but to me, that moment meant so much more. It is not every day you get to see such selfless interactions.
After a week filled with these adorable, little pick-me-ups, I got to thinking: What would life be like if we all approached each other with the unguarded enthusiasm, warmth and glee of a child?
What if we made a habit of going out of our way to do things for one another? What if we stopped worrying about what others may think of us and, instead, focused on how to brighten their day?
The world tells us that to be an adult, we have to be mature, sensible and put together. Adults are even keeled and don’t spaz out or get overly excited. They take things in stride and get things done. They’re productive, efficient and task-oriented.
Kids, on the other hand, have no filter. They can be boisterous, loud and exuberant. Children can make some of the biggest messes and overreact with the simplest of disappointments. But, they can also love unconditionally, with no qualifiers, and give freely of all they have to offer without qualms.
Sure, they may squabble over little things, but at the end of the day, they are remarkably accepting and generous and love to share their happiness and sense of wonderment with those around them.
At their core, there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of the “adult” traits. To an extent, we should strive to be organized and make the best use of our time. The danger with living life like an adult is that we become so focused on our to-do lists and the curve balls life constantly throws us, we forget the people around us. We are social creatures; there’s a reason we live in communities.
However, instead of building up that community, we often ignore it all together. Just look at the typical city street: Everyone is walking at top speed, eyes fixed straight ahead, not even making eye contact or issuing a greeting to those they walk past.
Sometimes, we just need to forget that barrier of formality and reach out to others, even if all we have to offer is a smile. It might just make someone’s day.
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
shiny things StableDiffusion
Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.
listen to your heart StableDiffusion
Moana always felt the ocean calling her name but it wasn't until she finally listened to it that she was able to learn why it had been calling her and where it was taking her.
face your fear StableDiffusion
Moana itself teaches this lesson in nearly every scene but I think it is best demonstrated when Moana continues to go back to confront Te Ka, the goddess of fire, with the desperate hope of being able to complete the task the ocean had given her. Maui also faces his fears in this scene as he comes back to help Moana after previously saying that he wouldn't.
olympic woman StableDiffusion
Maui was certainly feeling defeated numerous times throughout the movie but he kept getting back up and eventually became the strongest and best demigod he has ever been.
Lessons of life StableDiffusion
Grandma Tala dies, it is by her faith in Moana and the lessons she has taught her that Moana is able to finally follow the call of the ocean. Grandma Tala said she wanted to come back as a stingray, which she did just when Moana needed her most.
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Maui made the fatal mistake stealing the heart of Te Fiti because he thought that would make the humans happy. Instead, he ensured the destruction of the ocean and all of the islands that inhabit it. Thankfully, Moana came along to teach Maui about the error of his ways and help him to fix the damage he has caused.
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Grandma Tala tells it best; she was never afraid of what other people on the island thought of her and the ways in which she lived her life differently than the them. She simply did the things that made her happy and tried to teach others to do the same.
love StableDiffusion
The reason why Maui took the heart of Te Fiti in the first place was because he wanted the love and approval of the humans and he felt that that was the best way for him to receive it. Maui's parents abandoned him as a child so he was always desperately searching for love because it was so absent from his life.
you are stronger than you think StableDiffusion
Before embarking on her quest, Moana knew nothing about sailing let alone working with a demigod to return the heart of Te Fiti. However, she learned that she was far more powerful than she could ever had hoped to be as she persevered through every obstacle. Although there were times when she wanted to give up, at one point she even did, she always somehow found the strength to continue working towards her goal.
kindness StableDiffusion
Moana showing Te ka kindness and compassion is what led to Te Ka returning back to Te Fiti, the living mother island and restoring the world to it's beautiful and fruitful live.
Keep Reading. Show lessYou wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.
09 SeptemberThere are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.
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There's at least one of these people in every single class, whether it's a required General Education class or an upper division major course. These students always sit in the front row and ask at least five questions every lecture. They attend all the discussions and office hours, and try to turn in homework at least a week in advance. These are also the people who remind professors about assigned homework and upcoming exams. Nothing bad about being studious, but are they even human?
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It doesn't matter whether it's fall, winter, spring or summer - these people are online shopping every single lecture. They usually sit a row or few in front of you, and while the professor is lecturing, instead of taking notes or even trying to act like they're listening, they just aimlessly scroll through Aritzia, Forever 21 and Zara. The only time their eyes ever leave their computer screen is when class ends, so they're basically just there for giggles.
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This person comes to class every day, but somehow never stays awake for more than 20 minutes. You can sometimes hear the occasional snore from a corner of a large lecture hall, or catch their heads nodding like a pendulum near the front of the class if they're the studious type. But let's be real here: we've all been one of those students at some point.
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This category of students is probably the most common. Sure, they'll go to class, but all they do is surf through memes on Facebook or watch others play Fortnite. These people are in class for the attendance grade, not to learn. On occasion, they may raise their hand in class to ask a generic, vague question that has already been covered but hey, gotta get that participation grade. They're just doing everything they can to survive college, and honestly, it's a mood.
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Standing as probably the most frustrating category of people in this list, these students won't know about a midterm until two days before. The day before the exam, they'll be chilling in Malibu and partying at night. They go to class every once in a while when the class time doesn't clash with one of their many elaborate social plans, but never pay attention. Somehow, they still ace all their exams and end up with the top grade in the class.
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These people will start studying for a midterm at least two weeks before hand, and will be so stressed about homework and classes that they spend more time worrying about the workload than actually doing the work itself. They're in desperate need of a relaxing vacation that they're too stressed to plan, and they disappear from the outside world for weeks at a time. You can usually find them in a study room in a library, where they probably have been in for the past week.
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You didn't even know that they were in your class to begin with because they never show up until it's exam week. Are they too smart for the class or struggling too hard to care? The world may never know. Maybe they're just straight chilling in their apartments being lazy, but most of time, they probably didn't even put this class on their schedules. Catch them going to Disneyland on a weekday at least once a month, which is more than the frequency that they attend class.
Keep Reading. Show lessI am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.
If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.
I think that this one would be super cute except one of the dates would have to not talk the entire function which would be extremely difficult.
This is my personal favorite except it would be difficult to dress up like a ramp.
For this you could have one person dress up like hooter's girl and have one person wear plastic shot glasses with color glue in them.
For this one person could wear a cape and a Sherlock hat with a magnifying glass and the other person could dress up like the bird Woodstock or the festival.
This would be the coolest idea to do. To dress up like a bowl of spaghetti and a Yeti. The only thing you would have to watch would to make sure that the Yeti didn't eat the spaghetti.
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This would be very cute. You could use a backpack or a laundry basket for the shell.
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I don't know if you have seen the bladder cartoon but just imagine someone dressed up like that. Wouldn't that be so cute?
The snake could use the rake. This would be a very easy to dress up for.
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You could dress up like a thing of jam or like a dollop of jam and just wear a single color.
You could dress with pink and then the other person could dress with brown.
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All you need for this one is a banana costume and old lady clothes
One person would dress up as a milk carton and the other as any kind of fairy.
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I think that this is the most creative pairing that has ever been thought of. The hibachi person would definitely have to have one of those tall hats they wear.
You could put your arms through the straps that come out of the trash bag and just wrap an American flag around yourself (as long as it doesn't touch the floor).
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This would be super cute if the person who was the gumball put puffballs onto their shirt and wore silver pants.
A rhyme without reason date function is a social gathering when partners show up wearing outfits that rhyme with each other. It opens up an opportunity for creativity. It is most popular on college campuses, though it can be extended to other parts of society as a fun way to play dress-up. It also gains additional popularity around Halloween time, given the interest in costumes and dressing up for that holiday.
There are so many options: A Dog and a Frog could be fun. A Ramp and a Lamp, a Whale and a Snail, a Rake and a Snake, a Trash Bag and a Flag, and Bob Ross and Dental Floss are just some ideas for a rhyme without reason date function. Using your own creativity, you could think of countless more options and if you explore the web, you'll find lists out there to provide inspiration. Rhyming without reason at the end of the day is all about having fun.
For starters, TikTok has a whole collection of rhyme without reason ideas. You could browse those for quite some time and find plenty of inspiration. You might also look toward Her Campus for plenty more ideas or our handy list. There's no shortage of options around the web, but some of the best ideas may come from you. Start with the rhyming perspective and then think about what fun pairings would be for a real-life rhyme without reason costume party.
Keep Reading. Show lessYou deserve a great thank you.
Never would I have thought a few years ago that I would be such a huge yoga fanatic, that I would be hitting the gym almost every day to get to class, and that I would be forming all these amazing relationships with so many incredible people who also share a love for you. You've enhanced my way of life in numerous ways that I need to thank you for.
Thank you for showing me my true strength. Not only physical strength, but more importantly mental strength. You've shown me that I am more than what others may think of me, and that I can rise above any obstacle that comes through my path.
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Thank you for helping me to walk through life with grace and passion.To love what I do and love the life that I share with those around me. Before experiencing yoga, I never truly understood what it was like to be passionate about something. Now that I have, not only do I know what it's like to be passionate, but also have a willing to be passionate.
Thank you for teaching me what it is like to appreciate the small things in life. Which has only helped me more to appreciate the big things. You've shown me to not only appreciate the life around me, but also to give myself the appreciation that I deserve. And more importantly, give others the appreciation that they deserve.
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Thank you for allowing me to let go. Whenever I feel as if I need a break from the world, the yoga studio is the first place I think of. As soon as I enter the studio, the outside world leaves my mind. You've allowed me an escape that I will be forever thankful for.
Thank you for turning me into a mindful person. Having mindfulness is harder than it seems, especially here in today's society. Over the past couple years, I have become more mindful to the world around me, I have been able to truly be myself and let everyone else be themselves -- all thanks to yoga.
And lastly, thank you for allowing me to breathe. As simple as it sounds, breathing is the one thing that I carry around most with me off the mat. Deep breaths are what get me through the day. Throughout tough situations, emotional battles, and stressful times, I always know to come back to my yoga, to come back to my breath.
I only hope that those around me feel the same way as I do about you, yoga. You have truly transformed my life in the best way imaginable. It is a gift and a great privilege to be able to experience the practice. Thanks to you, I have grown as a person, proved to myself the true strength I have, become more aware and have ultimately started living a better life.
Your Yoga-Obsessed Friend