Last week while in Southern California, I went to Disneyland (if you follow me on twitter, this is no surprise. Sorry I got a little carried away with the pictures and commentary) with a big ‘ol crew of friends. All together we had 9 kids and 10 adults. It very easily could have been mass chaos but instead it was one of the best days I can remember.
I have been fighting “the grumps” a little bit lately and wanted to cast aside cynicism and distraction and truly soak up a rare day of childlike fun. As we ventured onto the park grounds, I prayed. “Lord, please help me be fully present today. Please help me reconnect with the child in me. Please help me be childlike and not childish.”
And I did.
I ate churros and chicken fingers. (Okay, so eating junk food is not so out of the ordinary.)
I ran through the line of Splash Mountain like a wild banshee screaming “Let’s get WET!!!” and cast aside all my practical thoughts of how miserable the rest of the evening could be after a January soaking.
I rode California Screamin’ with “no hands” and a lot of screaming.
I leaned forward and dangled my feet as I rode over the breathtaking California landscape on California Soarin’ (which might be the coolest “rides” I’ve ever experienced).
As the sun set and we made our way home, I was worn out. But it was the great worn-out because I knew I had played full out. I came. I saw. I soaked it in. I embraced childlike and resisted childish.
I am convinced the little prayer I prayed that day made all the difference during my day at Disneyland. Now, I just need to make it my prayer for every day.
Have you been to Disneyland or Disneyworld? What’s your favorite ride? Are you good at being a kid every now and again?
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.