Through the Eyes of a Child

Coaching Girls on the Run for the past four years has been one of the most meaningful, inspirational, and rewarding experiences of my life.  Although it is my responsibility to teach elementary-aged girls lessons about healthy living, I find that I learn just as much from them as they do from me.  Today was one of those days.

Each season the girls plan and execute a simple community service project during practice.  When the girls voted to do a car wash and donate proceeds to Japan relief, I immediately started worrying…Was this feasible in less than an hour?  Would we raise any money?  Did we even have access to a hose?  To my absolute shock, the girls raised over $175 in less than an hour, washing car after car with pure joy and excitement. 

As adults, we are skilled at analyzing every minute detail, weighing the pros and cons of a situation, and thinking realistically before we make a decision.  True, this way of thinking typically allows us to avoid unwelcome surprises, protects us from failure, and ensures positive outcomes.  However with it comes the implicit danger of limiting the boundless possibilities of what could happen.   What would happen if the pragmatism that guides our thinking evaporated and instead, we saw the world through the eyes of a child, where all things are possible?  I challenge you as I challenge myself: never let the pragmatic thinking of our adult minds impede the limitless potential of our future generations.

 About the Author: Elizabeth Weaver is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill double-majoring in Psychology and Sociology.  Next year, she will teach middle school Social Studies in Atlanta with Teach for America.