Inspired by a 6 year old

Last week our family from WI came out to visit us. We had a week filled with fun and love. At one point my 6 year old niece called out to me. "Auntie Kat...come look at me." I turned around but didn't see her. When I asked her where she was she replied that she was in the tree.

My giggling niece high up in the tree.

L had climbed rather high, in a nearby tree all by herself.  To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I can't recall a moment in my life where I wanted to climb a tree. I'm not so much afraid of heights as I am afraid of falling and getting hurt.

She loved posing for photos in the tree. I adore her.

I asked her, "Why are you climbing the tree?" Her smiling response was "If my brother can do it, why can't I?" That was when I realized, she never once thought about falling, she didn't think about getting hurt, she only thought about climbing for fun. Nothing was going to hold her back. Wow. I was just taught a life lesson by a 6 year old. I can use a lot less fear in my life, a lot less "what if's" and a whole lot more courage to just go for it.

I doubt she realized how much of an impact her statement had on me. Hopefully it's a lesson I'll remember for a long time. Thanks L, for being so inspiring, I can't wait to see what great amazing things you are going to accomplish as you grow up.