After only a few days of spending time with the children it amazes me how curious and eager they are to learn considering their living circumstances and the back ground in which they come from. When it comes down to it, they are children just like any other across the world and simply want to be loved and have attention.
Love and attention is something that we all crave and seek in our lives whether it is from our significant other, our family, or friends, we all want to feel wanted and loved. No matter how rich or poor we may be or the success that we may accomplish in our lifetime, the only true security in ones life is to feel accepted and loved.
Today was very interactive with the children and I had the opportunity to work directly with them within the community. We spent the morning working on sport skills and playing Australian Football. I found that the children became immediately attached and wanted nothing more than to cuddle and to be hugged, something they do not experience on a daily basis. As a volunteer is it so hard not to accept this affection and to give it back. Their polite mannerisms and generous smiles of laughter were contagious and I could not stop smiling the entire time.
After the morning of playing sports it was time for lunch before heading back to their homes. I have never seen children swarm around so quickly reaching out and begging for any morsel of food offered. Each child received a sandwich, which in a matter of seconds were devoured. I can only imagine how hungry their little tummies must be on a daily basis not to mention after a morning of playing sports. It made me realize how fortunate I am to have access to food and clean water whenever my heart desires, something many of us take for granted.
Something I learned today was how trusting and loving these children were. Many come from split families; parents of alcoholism, abuse and neglect and to see them still smile and simply be a kid shows how resilient they can be and how forgiving they are. But what was authentic was their trust and love, the simple desire to be loved that made them feel safe. I know as an adult I can definitely relate to this, when it comes down to happiness in life and feeling safe it is not the things, in fact it is to love and to be loved.
Karen
xo
Karen is a Holistic Lifestyle & Fitness Expert on a mission to cut through the over-complicated B.S. around food, health and well-being so that busy women, can learn how to transform their bodies and nourish their souls so they can feel strong, fit and confident.
