Through the Eyes of a Child

As I’m writing this, New Year’s Eve is just a few hours away.  As we celebrate the release 2025 and welcome the opportunities awaiting us in 2026, there are sure to be fireworks at midnight.

Every time I see fireworks, it reminds me of a seminal moment I had nearly three decades ago.

It was a cold night in the winter of 1997.  I was lifting my sleepy three-year-old son Joshua from his car seat to carry him up to the house.  We lived in a small community just north of Kelowna in the Okanagan valley.   The sky was clear, and the stars were bright.  The Hale-Bopp comet could be seen amongst the stars.  I pointed it out to Josh, telling him to look for “the star with a tail”.  I knew that at his young age, it wouldn’t mean much. I also knew the comet wouldn’t appear again for another 2,000 years.  

His response surprised me.  “You put it there, Dad”. 

For a few moments I was able to enjoy the glowing feeling inside my heart. It’s no secret that young children think of their parents as heroes.  But apparently MY son thinks I have no limits to my power.  I’m even capable of putting the stars in the sky! 

Then my logical brain kicked in, and my bubble burst. 

It had been a few months since Halloween.  Every year our small community put a lot of effort into it, with a haunted house, a dance and then fireworks at a nearby park. That year I had been asked to run the fireworks show. 

So that’s the answer to why my toddler thought I had put that “star” with a tail up there with the other stars.  He had seen me shooting fireworks into the sky.  From his perspective it made perfect sense.

Which makes me ask, what if sometimes… just sometimes… I didn’t allow logic to stand in my way?  What if I viewed myself the same way that Spirit, Universal Intelligence, Creator sees me? 

Imagine what can happen when I don’t let other self-imposed limitations, such as fear, keep me from always being my true, authentic self.  What could happen If I let my “light” shine as bright as a star. 

Imagine what could happen if I saw myself as Spirit sees me… through the eyes of a child.

Nothing to fear.  Nothing to stand in my way, except myself.  I know I would be a lot happier, and so would people within my circle of influence.

It’s good to know the Universe is conspiring for my highest and greatest good.  And whether you know it or not, it’s doing the same for you. 

Remember that the next time you see a shooting star or a comet. 

Or even some fireworks.

After all, they’re almost the same, right Josh?

Peace and Love,

Derek