THE PRETEND LIFE

Seven-year-old Kim most definitely had the Barbie mentality. On any given day and without any prior experience, she was an Olympic roller-blader, a librarian, a veterinarian, an actress, an artist, a gymnast, a princess, a synchronized swimmer, a mommy, a professional bike rider, a teacher, a hair stylist, and yes – even Santa Claus. The realm of possibility was a wide and comprehensive reality for her. She woke up every day believing that she could be whoever and whatever she wanted. She practiced the powers of “playing pretend” with the greatest of ease and utmost enthusiasm. No one ever told her that she couldn’t be any of the things she pretended to be. And because she was the one making the rules of reality, there was no room for fear or failure.

Like when each drive-way on her cul-de-sac needed to be a different country in order to get her Olympic-winning roller-blading-self to all the biggest competitions – guess who made it happen. Or when her stuffed animal doggie with the Velcro pouch in its stomach needed to give birth to three smaller stuffed animal puppies – guess who stepped up to the challenge. And when her best friend’s little sister wanted a visit from Santa Claus – guess who answered the call.

So somewhere between seven and twenty-something I’ve come to a conclusion. My potential is only as limited as I perceive it to be. My younger self knew who she wanted to be and didn’t think about the limitations. So that got me thinking about the life of an older and supposed to be wiser self. If I think to myself that I can’t run a 10k – chances are I’m not going to make the first few steps, let alone cross the finish line. If I think to myself that I can’t be an optimistic or positive person in the face of daily challenges – chances are my upbeat attitude will be beaten before the day begins. And If I think to myself that I can’t (insert any task imaginable or should I say pretend-able) – chances are I won’t.

“But wait!” says seven-year-old Kim emphatically…”You can! You can! You can!”

And here comes my inner child riding in on the little engine that could. (Most likely pretending to be the conductor no doubt. lol) She’s reminding me that pretending isn’t a practice meant just for the young, but also the young at heart.

So in honor of my seven-year-old self, it’s time to remember that facing reality doesn’t have to be so scary. I can be whoever and whatever I want. And as long as I think I can, think I can, think I can…chances are – I just very well might.