by Anton Martin Smith antonmartinsmithwrites@gmail.com or martinantonmith@gmail.com

I am naturally a pessimist. It caused to much pain. So mid life I learnt to round off pessimisms harsh edges.

How did I do that?

Well I embraced a few moments of child-like play. After all I do believe Jung said this was wise. It is not normal for adults to be dreary all the time. This is why we watch comedy. We get to laugh at another adult acting all child-like, without having to do it ourselves. It is a vicarious thing.

But I contend that’ not quite enough. You need as an adult to still have your ‘child like joy’ where you do it yourself rather than by proxy. You cannot live your whole life living vicariously through celebrities on a screen.

We in NZ have a hangover from (I guess) was our over religious repressed Patrician/Presbyterian beginnings in the 1800’s. Being embarrassed for showing signs of life has became normalized. Other nations have gotten over this – such as America. We need to learn from them I think on the joys of occasional child-like joy as an adult. Of course the Aussies are much like the Kiwis in this respect – but perhaps are more twisted in their reprisals against the daring exuberant one (aka similar to NZ but instead a colonial prison life ‘cultural hangover’).

You see when I feel really stressed about an adult matter – like money or taxes or work etc etc I feel much better when I blow off steam by doing some child’s-play. For example – today in casual conversation I told my rich uncle (who was visiting) that the just deceased Dolly Parton was actually – contrary to Hollywood propaganda – a total bitch.

Yes this aforementioned scene was indeed ‘teenage-boy-like’ but boy did it lift my spirits! Another example was last week when I simply made a game of throwing empty beer cans into a faraway bin in my room. You see this is all good stuff. Your brain gets a happy boost.

And on that here’s something I’ve noticed – a lot of CEO’s Entrepreneurs etc DO retain a child-like manner. There’s something in that. Of course most people in the Arts do as well – but often in a vulgar/over the top kind far too immature of way. It’s always about balance.

I won’t labor the point. Go out there and be child like once in a while – even (or especially) if it’s behind closed doors. To you Americans – I don’t need to tell you that (maybe you guys are over doing it?). I won’t hold my breath for Kiwis & Aussies – I think we have a long way to go on that front. Oh well one baby step step at a time I guess.

See you on the next blog!

Anton M. Smith 17 Aug 8:35PM (in the small town Alexandra, in the South Island of New Zealand)