CHILD.....ish OR .....like?

The older I get, the more I notice the maturity (or lack of) of people around me. You find lovely examples of it at home, in your family, the neighborhood and sometimes even at work.

I love to find those people who still embrace their inner child. The ones who have the ability to throw themselves into life’s experiences with the wide eyed wonder of a little kid. They greet each day as a gift, expect the best from it and are rarely disappointed because even if the day turns out to be a little less than, they find something to celebrate.

However, it is incredible to me to realize there are more CHILDISH than CHILDLIKE people running around. And there is a huge difference in these two characteristics. But just in case you need just a few pointers to help you recognize the ISHs…..here you go.

If someone is constantly looking for something wrong in you to justify their own bad behavior….they might be CHILDISH

If someone has wronged you and now cannot a) meet your eyes…or b) stay in the same room with you….they might be CHILDISH

If someone is constantly trying to make themselves look better or feel better at your expense….they might be CHILDISH

If someone does not have the ability to admit they are wrong, apologize and move on….they might be CHILDISH

If someone’s first response to every situation is to immediately bemoan the effects that situation has on THEM…they might be CHILDISH

If someone does not possess the ability to own their own mistakes, but must instead pass off the guilt…they might be CHILDISH

If someone is constantly unreliable and undependable in doing what they say they will do...they might be CHILDISH and could possibly also suffer from the other deadly ISH...SELFISH

But….if someone greets each new day as a gift. Or, smiles through their own troubled times. Or, perhaps, just tries to make everyone they are in contact with feel like they were important enough to engage with. Or, if someone just can remove their own needs and wants and truly listen to others and try to make a difference where they can……….They just might be CHILDLIKE and therefore, should be treasured.