We, as adults, need to take our time to warm up to a new friendship. We need to access if it is safe to open ourselves to a new friend. We need to build a level of trust from zilch. And this takes time. A day, a week, a month, a year. Even when we get to know our neighbours, we will smile at each other for a long time before feeling comfortable enough to talk and be friends.
It is amazing to see our children do not have this issue with their new found friends. Even a relatively shy child quickly warms up to their new friends and be comfortable enough to play in each others' house. They do not have problem deciphering different accent from different countries. They do not have any problem with their friends' skin colours. They do not have any problem with anything, as long as everyone in the group enjoy playing together amiably.
I believe we behaved the same when we were young. So, how and when exactly did we start to shield ourselves from having a fun time with our new friends? Was it the betrayal that we faced as we walk our life's journey? Was it the humiliation that we face from some untactful children? Can we revert to our childhood attitude in getting to know new friends?
Will our children be like us when they grow up? Will they also shed their easy-going mentality and build a wall around themselves when they are getting to know new friends? Just hope that they will enjoy this carefree attitude as long as possible before abandoning their cheerful childishness to be a boring adult.
As for me, maybe I need to wait until I'm in my old age to be like a child again....
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