Yes

Kids are explorers.  From their very first moments on Earth, they explore.

They start small, exploring the crevices of their toes, the little lines on their hands, the smooth cheeks of Mommy and the rougher stubble on Daddy’s face.

With surprising speed, their exploration broadens — to the wooden knot in hardwood floor, the curious objects dangled overhead by a loving big sister.  

And soon, they’re moving.  Rocking and rolling over onto their tummies; squirming to crawl; and finally taking those first unsteady steps.

Everyday is exploration — of themselves, their family, and their environment.

Exploration starts with a powerful impulse: to say “yes” to new experiences with enthusiasm and free of hesitation.

The impulse to say “yes” persists throughout childhood.  When we ask our kids if they’d like to, say, go to Santa Fe with us, they say, “yes!”  They have no idea what Santa Fe is, but it’s something new and that’s good enough for them.

Over time, we adults start saying “no” or “maybe” with increasing frequency.  We explore less, keeping our worlds smaller and more insular.

Let’s expand our bubbles.  Let’s be explorers again.  Let’s say “yes” to new experiences.

Let us explore, dream, and discover too.