Reclaiming Innocence – Disney Was Right!
Are you naturally more of the cynic or innocent in your approach to life?
I think I’m both–it just depends on the day, circumstances, and or the experience I currently see into the present with.
Nevertheless, I’m learning that the way of the cynic slowly erodes our spirits and takes away from us the experience of being fully human, while the way of innocence promotes hope, joy, wonder and renewal.
Cynicism Kills Hope.
When I speak of being cynical, I’m not referring to the necessary critical thinking of seeing and speaking honestly about a particular thing–that’s different than being the cynic.
The world of the cynic is fixed and immovable. Yet, the world is actually quite malleable, and a cynic has no capacity to even see it, killing all hope that it could ever possibly change.
Innocence Is Actually Stronger Than That.
When speaking of innocence, I don’t primarily see it as a thing you have until an experience “takes” it away from you. Innocence is actually a much stronger component of the human spirit than that. I don’t believe it can be completely “stolen or taken away” unless it is relinquished.
If you think you’ve “lost” it, I wholeheartedly believe it can be reclaimed. If it’s being challenged, it’s absolutely worth the fight to not stumble onto the pathway of cynicism.
Seeing Innocence As A Quality.
What if we began to see Innocence as a QUALITY God brings to our lives, of which we continually pursue, and not an early stage of life on the way to experience, which eventually takes it away. I’d argue that an understanding of innocence in this light, would allow for innocence to spring up with great intensity in the face or all experience.
Experience cannot take away this kind of innocence.
The Real Challenge Of Life.
Is the real challenge of life dealing with how the world comes to us, or, how we come to the world? I think it’s how we come to the world that matters most. Innocence that continually pursues hope and renewal is stronger than any experience; leading us to find goodness in everything and making beauty of every ugly thing.
Disney Was Right!
There are happy endings. The GOOD God who created the world and people has not become cynical or given up on it or US. He’s certainly experienced a lot through out history to challenge His innocence and yet still adamantly refuses the path of cynicism…
He who was seated on the throne said, “ I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!” [note the exclamation point]. Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ~ Rev. 21
Seems to me that the God of the universe is already reclaiming innocence for all He’s created. That’s really great news. Let’s join with Him in this cosmic project to reclaim goodness everywhere and for everyone!
