SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
TREASURES FROM THE HEART

Near the completion of a half-day of school, 11-year-old Cesar approached me and unfolded a crayon drawing. His art revealed tall, snow-capped peaks perfectly placed along the bank of a river. I shared with Cesar how
much I love mountains and hiking especially near flowing water because the sound is soothing to my soul and nature quiets my mind. "How about you?" I inquired as I attempted to return the art to him. Cesar nodded,
smiled and insisted I keep his exquisite and generous offering. I expressed my gratitude and deep appreciation for the reminder of special times and places in my life.

While observing an itinerant art instructor teach our 2nd grade class, Allison rushed across the room eager to share her accomplishments with me. I commented that I noticed her creative application and choice of colors along with varying textures and then proceeded to hand it back when she refused. "It's for you!" she affirmed proudly and joyfully. Appearing content with gift giving, she skipped away before I could say more. My heart beamed with thankfulness.

Both of these children I had only known a few hours. And yet they opened their benevolent hearts to shower
me with their blessings. Children's intrinsic giving nature never ceases to humble and inspire me.

Nearly every day I receive gifts from the hearts and hands of youth. These treasures come in the form of
crayon, pencil or marker artistry which consist of: multi-colored hearts, blooming flowers, bountiful trees, vivid rainbows, suns with brilliant rays of sunshine, dancing butterflies, contorted cartoon characters, dazzling stars, tender love notes, cherished animals and pets, billowy clouds, floating balloons, thank you notes, assorted
color-full designs and much, much more. I especially relish the drawings where a child portrays us as equal in size. Frequently I feel smaller.

Additionally, children bestow me their prized possessions such as pencils, sharpeners, erasers, toys, candy, comic books and clothing items. And of course there are the hug slammers who boldly and vigorously embrace me with bear-hugs that warm my entire being.

Not only does their kind-heartedness show up in objects, art and affection, it is also demonstrated in good deeds. If I drop something, students rush to assist. If classroom tasks need taking care of, they willingly and enthusiastically volunteer. Requests are met with a roomful of hands shooting up while shouting "me!" to be
the chosen ones.

Yet in a day and age where children are too often viewed as selfish, demanding, self-centered, lazy, greedy
and materialistic, how can this be possible? Maybe I am an idealist. You could even say I live in a dream world. Still, my experiences and observations reveal that children are compassionate, caring and altruistic by nature.

Studies are finding that children show signs of empathy and concern from a very early age. Young children are able to offer comfort and care to an injured parent, infants respond to the moods of those around them, toddlers readily pick up and return items dropped by adults and babies in high chairs innately reach out to share food. The internal architecture of the soul is pure goodness. This I believe.

But there is more to these exchanges than just goodness. At the heart of these sweet interactions is connection. Born with a social orientation, children seek to consciously relate to their world - with others, their environment, spiritual values and themselves. Hard-wired to care and connect, children pursue their inherent mission of discovering their full self through the giving of themselves. Their contributions to life and lives bring greater awareness to our divinely designed interrelatedness and heighten a sense of empathy for one another. Could this be the reason most children, when asked, choose future helping professions - doctors, nurse,
fireman, teacher, police officer, and veterinarian?

Still, alarming statistics indicate the well-being of children is declining. Lack of connectedness to their true nature and a shortage of genuine relationships with caregivers are leading to despair, hopelessness, anxiety, suicide, apathy and disengagement from meaning and purpose. Solutions to this crisis must stop relying solely on therapy and medications.

Too many of us spend our whole lives narrowing emotional distances, melting physical boundaries and
dissolving mental limitations our Western culture constructs soon after birth. It's no wonder with youth's daily overexposure to violence; the absence of play; inadequate amounts of time in nature; commercialism that
instills beliefs of never having or being enough; lack of meaningful and authentic relationships; chaotic,
confusing, and complex home life; along with institutions we label "education" that incarcerate the spirit. When essential needs are unmet, children often disconnect with themselves and others in unhealthy, harmful ways.

Children need close, personal, face-to-face loving relationships in order to thrive and become all they were intended to be. Genuine connections develop from being in relation with nurturing, tender and non-harmful
others. So today I'm proclaiming a new type of global warming - the warmth of humanity uniting as a compassionate and caring presence in the lives of all youth. Yes, the positive presence of a single caring
adult in a child's life fosters "I am a person who matters" and lays the groundwork for cultivating meaningful, whole-hearted relationships built upon a foundation of trust, safety, security and authenticity.

What can you/I/we do? Don't know where to start? Just look or ask around. Opportunities abound. Children
need devoted, kind-hearted adults in spiritual communities, schools, non-profits and neighborhoods. Become
a mentor, tutor, guide, coach, attentive listener or advocate. Make a contribution, say I love you often, share stories, take hikes, play board games, visit/volunteer at an animal shelter, partner projects, share meals, star gaze, camp out, ride bikes, laugh, giggle, sing, dance, or anything else you can imagine and create together. Come to the aid of a fussy baby/child while mom or dad juggle groceries. Give a little, or give a lot. Every day, somewhere nearby, locally, nationally or globally, a child or teen needs you to recapture their indwelling spirit.

Remember, it only takes ONE. Could that ONE be YOU!? What if each ONE of us made the commitment to open our hearts a little bigger for at least ONE child today? How about a little bigger every day? Envision the sacredness of two hearts converging in holy communion simply because of a warm smile, a kind gesture, open arms, attentive listening, supportive words, shared moments or a helpful hand. Parker Palmer asserts that educators "must commit to being authentic adults…whose lives are built around caring for new lives." What
heart print will you impress upon ONE new life beginning NOW?

Over the years, I saved most of the drawings children gifted me. Some are framed, a few hang on my
refrigerator door, most I have in a file drawer close by that I have labeled "TREASURES FROM THE HEART". On those days or in those moments when I feel overwhelmed, gloomy or need uplifting, I open the file and …PRESTO...an instant reminder of the goodness that is inherent in us all.

Be the ONE! Unite your spirit with the spirit of a child.
Lovingly from my heart,
Adrian Reznik

Copyright © 2008 Adrian Reznik