Peter Pan Envy

Have you ever suffered from Peter Pan envy? There are times in our lives when it is a lot easier to say, "I don't want to grow up", than it is to face change. Who doesn't, from time to time, reminisce about childhood and the adventure life would take?

It seems as if life is simpler to a child. All one needs is faith, trust, and, of course, pixie dust, and anything is possible. Your wildest dreams can take flight. But as one grows up, faith begins to wobble, trust is hard won, and, let's face it, who really believes in fairies? It's impossible to fly!

Once you stop and think about it, however, Peter Pan envy is a healthy way to deal with change and growing old. I know what you are saying, "What? Is she crazy!" But think back to when you were a child, and think about all the dreams you had for when you grew up. Now, what happened to those dreams?

Most of us upon reaching adulthood put our childhood dreams aside. Reality takes a huge bite out of our imagination, and, as our innocence fades with age, so do our dreams. Don't let this happen, because dreams are what make us who we are. Once we put our childhood dreams aside, our lives become uninspiring. If there is no inspiration to guide us down our path in life, how do we remain equipped to handle all of life's obstacles?

This May (2003), my daughter will be turning 5-years-old. This is a big change in her life. Next year she will be starting kindergarten, or as she puts it, "big kids' school." Luckily she still has the imagination of a child to help her handle this transition. Think back to when you started school. Did it make you feel grown up, as if you were leaving childhood behind?

I tell my daughter quite often she needs to stop growing up, and she always laughs. "You can't stop growing, Mommy. Everyone does," is her reply. Okay, you can't stop growing unlike Peter Pan. But why is it we believe, once we're grown up, we have to give up on our dreams?

Are you thinking about how you felt upon starting school? Now think about the aspirations you had for yourself then. Have you accomplished any of them? If not, maybe it is time you took a lesson from Peter Pan. It is a good way to help conquer your fears. Children believe they can do anything. They don't have any fear of consequences holding them back.

May is an excellent month to change your life. Spring is in the air. Flowers are blooming, and all around us the earth is renewing itself. There is no better time than the present to change your life. Remember your childhood dreams and make them a reality. Forget about the consequences and do what your heart tells you. Nothing can hold you back if you believe in yourself.

Think like Peter Pan and fly!

This article was published at ritro.com  on April 2, 2003.  Later this month my daughter will be 11 years old and heading off to middle school next year.