Our daughter turned 9 this week. As if a major milestone, she celebrated her special day thrice.

First while we were still in the US, to ensure she doesn’t miss partying with her friends there. Then back home in India on the actual day as well as over the weekend when we could arrange for another party with her friends in Bangalore!

While she spent time having fun and enjoying her moments, I observed how she was genuinely having fun, without any abandon. I marvelled at her attitude about enjoying life.

And not just her but even the friends she had invited. They all had a gala time.

Almost like a coincidence, while talking to a colleague, we ventured into the topic of how our children provide us with energy and a lot of learning because they are who they are.

Sitting alone, thinking about the week, this stayed with me…

Not for the fact that it brought forth the limitations we succumb to as grown ups, when it comes to enjoying life. Or the thought about how I as a child celebrated with equal abandon.

But the thought of how on most special days, we now end up doing something low key. Like a dinner. Or maybe a shopping or movie outing.

Why don’t we take that time or day to actually celebrate life and live it fully. Even if just for a day. The way we want to live it.

Perhaps it’s too radical for most of us. But maybe worth a try?

Maybe that will unlock the child in us, doing things with abandon, enjoying the smallest of the things, while being happy all through it.

Or maybe it will just help us relieve stress from our daily routines and enable us to recharge.

Either which way, something I want to try the next time there’s a special day coming!