Thick, oozy mud.
We can’t go over it.
We can’t go under it.
Oh, no!
We’ve got to go through it!”
Michael Rosen, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Those of us with children, have not only read and re-read this classic story countless times (so beautifully illustrated by Helen Oxenbury) but have had the experience of our children dragging us through some adventure that we would really rather not be having. Who wants to slog through mud? To find a bear?! And yet our children, in their infinite wisdom, get it. Here are some of the kernels of wisdom to be gleaned from Michael Rosen’s book:
We can face obstacles with a sense of purpose
So much of the time, we close off opportunities and experiences because we just don’t want to go through “it”. How many times have you told yourself and your friends, ‘I just can’t deal with ‘it’ right now?’ By limiting your own choices you are choosing to make your life smaller. So many places you won’t go. But what if you really connected with your purpose in life? What is your bear hunt? What is it that terrifies you and yet thrills you as well? Are you hungering for connection and community? Are you meant to protect our environment? Ease the pain of others? What would you be willing to face to serve your purpose in life?
When we speak to what is before us right now it will move us forward
Have you ever had the experience of talking to a trusted friend and as you name the issue you are struggling with, it is demystified? Sometimes you can’t really make sense of a problem, and your friend just puts her finger on it and you begin to develop the courage to tackle it?
Being fully present right now, doesn’t prevent new vistas from opening up
“Swishy-swashy, Splash-Splosh, Stumble-trip” Don’t you love the way those moments are captured? Sometimes I think of this as the difference between being on a train and being on a hike. When I am on a train, in order to get any extended look at a part of the scenery I have to look ahead in the direction the train is moving and then as we pass it, I have to look backwards as it recedes in the distance. I never get to see what is right in front of my eyes. It is always a blur. But on a hike, I can walk at my own pace. I can stop; I can feel my feet on the ground and hear every sound around me. And I can keep moving when I am ready. We may be on a mission, but so what? What is here right now? Feel the sun on your face, or the rain in your boots. So be with the frustration that it is taking so long. Be with the anger. And be with the joy and the laughter that is here right now in this moment. Be with the curiosity. The next thing is coming, don’t worry. It always does.
You can change your mind about the goal it’s not about where you get to it’s about what you learn and make possible in the process
The family on the bear hunt runs all the way home after encountering the bear and decides they are never going on a bear hunt again. In her incredible wisdom, the artist, Helen Oxenbury draws the last page of the book with the bear (who has emerged from his cave in pursuit of the family) walking on his own on a stretch of beach. So not only did the family learn something important, but if they hadn’t found the bear, he might never have explored the beach. You can never know what the impact of your pursuits will be. You can only undertake them with purpose, presence of mind, and a willingness to learn from the journey.
Posts
