Yesterday while shopping at local grocery store, I was going through the aisles of the store and, all of a sudden, I notice that a cute 2-year-old girl, who looked like Goldilocks, was blocking my way. She was holding a bunch of soft toys, talking with them and playfully blocking my way. I requested multiple times to let me pass but she had no intention of doing so unless I first paid the toll.

The toll was a high five and small chit chat with her. Her mom tried to stop her but she wouldn’t budge. She just stood there with big smile on her face and naughty grin in her eyes. She insisted that her soft toys also wanted to talk with me. I paid her toll and then was able to go on my way. This young doll made my day.

This incident got me thinking that this 2-year-old child is so bold, innocent and naive. Children have this unique ability to make new friends, anytime and anywhere. We all had that innocence and playfulness as children. We all were bold, and nothing was impossible. We had this wild imagination and ability to make new friends. For young children even the small things make them happy. What happened to us when we grew up? Where do we lose all this?

An average adult, while growing up, hears the word NO almost 250 times a day. This is a major blow on their self-esteem since we are the product of our environment, but the good thing is that once we realize the cause of our current situation, we can change it by taking the necessary steps to improve.