Dreamscape Jewelry Design

September 21, 2025: Through The Eyes Of A Child

“As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath us; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unselfconsciously to the soughing of the trees.” 

~Valerie Andrews

Last week, we had the oppotunity to go exploring with three little boys, grandsons of close friends who live on the coast of Maine. Ages 3 1/2, 5 and 6, they were enthusiatic bundles of energy, who loved heading outdoors as they fortunately have had lots of opportunities exploring the wonders of the natural world.

On the first day, with the six year old navigating our way, we hiked through some woods which ended up on a sandy beach. I always bring my camera with me, and the boys continually pointed out things they thought I should photograph. It was a beautiful day and the dappled, sunlit walk through the woods showed emerging signs of Fall, with late blooming wildflowers, changing leaves and mushrooms. They also knew I had apps on my phone that could identify the birds, bugs and plants we encountered along the way. The woods walk and beach were a paradise for curious adventurers. We had frequent stops to make observations and discover what was new or unusual. We had timed our visit to this secluded beach so the tide was out. There was a literal trove of treasures to be discovered; from tiny crabs and sand dollars, to tide pools where barnacles waved their tentacles to catch infismental prey. The excitement over each new find was contagious and palpable. Their observations led to questions and inspired further inspections of this beach/ocean habitat. Watching a seagull catch a crab then drop it on the ground to get to the meat, led to the discovery of more crab parts; which were then declared “clues” to a story we hadn’t been there to witness. I told them that they were “naturalists’, who were people who studied the natural world.

We did not bring any toys with us, yet the intrepid boys found all kinds of activities to enage in and did not want to leave. When the tide turned and was coming back in, we were met with protests when we said it was time to pack up. It was only after a promise of ice cream at their favorite dairy bar (a family ritual after hikes), that they reluctanlty conceded.

This time, heading back with ice cream on their minds, the two older boys ran ahead with my husband Ron. The three year old walked with me. What normally would have taken 10 minutes, turned into a meandering exploration of whatever caught his curious eyes. Taking our time, we would stop and investigate. Our attention was fully on the experience of being in the woods on a beautfiul September day. While the beach had been the ultimate destination, the explorations we had each way and once there, brought a depth and richness to the experience. It once again gave credence to the expression, attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey”.

When I was a teacher, I used to take my young students out on weekly “nature walks”. On one of those times, a reporter accompanied us on the walk and asked a child what he liked about being on these excursions. He replied, with a comment that can be a metaphor for any budding naturalist. “When I first came out here, all I saw was trees, and rocks. Now the more I look the more I see…..the more I see, the more I want to look.” He reached down and picked up a leaf, that when turned over had a chrysallis……”I find cool things like this.”

With all the cacophony of disruptive distractions and noise found in modern society, we can lose sight of the simple wonders that surround us each day. Witnessing the incredible array of joyful observations by three little boys, reminded me once again of how paying attention to what’s in front of our eyes can help us appreciate the the actual gifts in our lives. When focusing on these gifts, worries about the future, and regrets about the past, fade away, leaving behind a sense of awe, gratitude, peace and wonder that can be found in the present moment……if only we make the effort and time to see them..

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day. I’ve included quotes to hopefully inspire the curious child that lives inside of you. I invite you to share this with someone who might find it meaningful and welcome your comments and/or quotes that inspire you.

In peace and harmony,

Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

Quotes to Inspire The Curious Child In You

“See the world as if for the first time; see it through the eyes of a child, and you will suddenly find that you are free.”

Deeptak Chopra

“We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” Charlotte Mason

“Happy indeed is the naturalist: to him the seasons come round like old friends; to him the birds sing: as he walks along, the flowers stretch out from the hedges, or look up from the ground, and as each year fades away, he looks back on a fresh store of happy memories.” John Lubbock

“Children are always looking at the world as if it was for the first time in their lives. So, we should always look to the world with the eyes of a child. I am not saying be naive, I am saying be innocent in the sense of discovering things.” Paulo Coelho

“Only those who look with the eyes of children can lose themselves in the object of their wonder.” Eberhard Arnold

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” Thich Nhat Hanh

“Only spread a fern-frond over a man’s head and worldly cares are cast out, and freedom and beauty and peace come in.” John Muir

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” Rachel Carson