Dr. Thomas Maples

Inspirational Quotes

A Father’s Guide to Wisdom

Usually, I write these posts with a fresh mind at 4 am. But even more important, I write them with a fresh cup of coffee in a Disney cup. Yes, even though I cannot stop the tick, tock of time, I don’t see much use in growing up anyway. As a wise man once said, people don’t grow up, only their toys do. I think there is some true wisdom there, what do you think?

A. A. Milne’s work on the silly yet wise old bear, Winnie the Pooh, shows the inherent value present in a child’s spirit. Their newness, fresh essence of being, is what I see most adults long to experience again. Yet, we hurry children along the way, to that point of letting go to see them soar to the heights of their dreams. Tick, tock, it seems that we all race against the clock.

I once heard that we spend the majority of childhood yearning to be a grown-up, and the rest of our life wishing to go back. Interesting, isn’t it?

Winding rivers await, yet does there need to be a hurry. No, of course not. They all reach their ultimate destination in the end. They wind through the highest of peaks, to the lowest and darkest of woods, and they never lose their way. Maybe we are not lost. Perhaps it is the world around it that is lost.

My son inspired this week’s exploration of Pooh Bear. As my wife was pondering real adult problems, he offered her a little word of advice from this wise old bear.

What a delightfully wise bear this silly toy has become. Wouldn’t you agree?

Namaste, my friends. May many blessings find you on your journey to believe, achieve, and advance confidently in the direction of your dreams. On the way, don’t forget to let that inner child shine. Sometimes, it’s a lot more fun than the seriousness of adult life leads you to believe.

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