Remember the master teacher once said 2,000 years ago, “Unless you can become like little children, your chances are zero; you haven’t got a prayer.” This is a major consideration for adults.

Be like children, and remember there are four ways to be more like a child no matter how old you get…

1. Curiosity

Be curious; embrace childish curiosity. What will kids do if they want to know something bad enough? You’re right. They will bug you. Kids can ask a million questions. You think they’re through, then they’ve got another million. They will keep plaguing you. They can drive you right to the brink.

Kids use their curiosity to learn. Have you ever noticed that while adults are stepping on ants, children are studying them? A child’s curiosity is what helps them to reach, learn and grow.

2. Excitement

Learn to get excited like a child. There is nothing that has more magic than childish excitement. So excited that you hate to go to bed at night… that you can’t wait to get up in the morning… that you’re about to explode. How can anyone resist that kind of childish magic?

Now, once in a while I meet someone who says, “Well, I’m a little too mature for all that childish excitement.” Isn’t that pitiful? You’ve got to weep for these kinds of people. All I’ve got to say is, “If you’re too old to get excited, you’re old.” Don’t get that old.

3. Faith

Faith is childish. How else would you describe it? Some people say, “Let’s be adult about it.” Oh, no. No. Adults too often have a tendency to be overly skeptical. Some adults even have a tendency to be cynical.

Adults say, “Yeah. I’ve heard that old positive line before. It will be a long day in June before I fall for that positive line. You’ve got to prove to me it’s any good.” See, that’s adult, but kids aren’t that way.

Kids think you can get anything. They are really funny. You tell them, “We’re going to have three swimming pools.” And they say, “Yeah. Three. One each. Stay out of my swimming pool.” See, they start dividing them up right away, but adults are not like that. Adults say, “Three swimming pools? You’re out of your mind. Most people don’t even have one swimming pool. You’ll be lucky to get a tub in the backyard.”

You notice the difference? No wonder the master teacher said, “Unless you can become like little children, your chances, they’re skinny.”

4. Trust

Trust is a childish virtue, but it has great merit. Have you heard the expression “Sleep like a baby”? That’s it. Childish trust. After you’ve gotten an A+ for the day, leave it in somebody else’s hands.

Curiosity, excitement, faith and trust. That is a powerful combination to bring (back) into our lives.

Photo by @alexandrahraskova/Twenty20