Life Lessons From A 7-Year Old Quirky Kid Living A Full Life

Many kids grow up with imaginary friends.

He or she is that little buddy that nobody sees, but everybody acknowledges. You know. Because you're a kid and that by the time you're like 7 years old, that little homie will end up a memory.

Unless, of course, his name is Gilbert, and he grows up right along with you.

Gilbert. Fucking Gilbert. He never went gently into that good night. The son of a bitch not only hung out with me until I was 8 but sat in the backseat when I learned to drive at 15. Then that little bastard was in the church watching my second wedding.

I'm partly responsible for that, though.

You see, I kept feeding him. I mean, I know he's my boi and all, but he's also kinda like that stray cat you're supposed to avoid. Feed him once, and he keeps coming back. That's Gilbert in a nutshell.

Fucker won't stop coming back, and he brings his empty bowl every time.

The thing is, some people have labeled Gilbert. I hate labels.

Some of my writer friends call him "creative juices." Or you know, they say stuff like "I'm tapping into my inner Hemingway." Or other things like, "I'm letting my mojo flow," or "I'm going to unleash my inner child."

I call bullshit.

You're going to talk to Gilbert, and that's all there is to it. You just don't want to come across as a wack job because it's not as cute when you're 32 years old (or 26 or 54, for that matter).

It's just weird.

We are born inquisitive, and as such, our brains love to ebb and flow, wander and create. Whether the creation is an idea or something intangible, or literally something you can pick up and hold, the urge to be creative is unavoidable. It's ultimately what you choose to do with that compulsion and urges that matter.

Creativity is always happening within us, whether we think about it or not.

Creativity is overlooked, yet vital for all ages, from children to elderly people alike- because creativity can help us escape the stress and other perceived life craziness.

And if you have an imaginary friend to bounce ideas off of, it can be cathartic in a crazy way.

So I kept feeding Gilbert. And here's why you should do the same.

Every kid needs a Gilbert in their corner

Children learn at an alarming rate.

Children take in a ton of information every day, and much of it is new and exciting. They soak up info like a sponge as their world opens up and expands. And as that world expands, so do their minds, and hence their points of reference.

Though a child's brain isn't fully formed- which is evident by their strong emotions, their imaginations are almost better developed than an adult's.

Creativity is a vital part of early childhood. Creativity in the form of play, arts and crafts, and self-expression helps children find their identity and nurture their emotional health. Many parents attempt to mold their children and limit their choices and behavior. To some degree, this can stifle creativity and stop the natural flow of being creative, which can affect someone throughout their lives.

Here are a few ways to let kids be kids:

• Learn to play spoons…
• Put down the crayons and use clay instead…
• Learn to count to ten in 3 other languages…
• Find yourself a super cool friend just like Gilbert…

You're all grown up, so ditch your imaginary friend already

At least that's what you're supposed to do.

You have a job, maybe gonna get married, or already have a family. It's time to be serious about life and make something of yourself. You don't have time to be creative, is what they'll say.

The truth is, you can't afford to NOT be creative.

This is the stage in life where we lose our creative outlets in the spirit of "growing up." These are the years where being creative is "selfish" (they say) and detracts you from real life and work. Put it to the side, stop those silly childish games, and do something with your life is what they will drill into you.

And that's why we need friends like Gilbert.

Creative pursuits during adulthood find opportunities and to improve mood, relieve stress, and create outlets. Creativity can recharge a weary soul or prevent someone from burnout. I can probably take it a step further and say that fostering your creativity into adulthood might even save a life.

Yours perhaps?

Some excellent ways to be creative in adulthood can include:

• Redo your home…
• Go tonight cooking school…
• Learn to take photos for social media…
• Read the Kama Sutra and start "practicing" with your spouse…
• Write an essay about how an imaginary friend saved your life…

I once took care of a patient with dementia (or was it?)

I'm a nurse in real life.

Well, technically, I have been trained as a nurse, hold an RN license, and have spent decades honing my craft. However, these days I make my bacon from writing. But all that to say is this.

I often wondered if someone with dementia is on some level just trying to find their inner child again.

Look, I mean no disrespect. I understand that Alzheimer's and dementia are not fun or funny. It's serious. But I have to share that there were times when I would talk with a demented patient, and I would crave being in their world.

If only for a minute.

We all age differently. Healthy minds age differently. Some people age while their minds remain sharp. They can retain a high level of creativity and self-expression throughout the process. When we don't use our brains, cognitive decline can be rapid; however, creativity can help to keep the mind strong in some cases and prevent dementia like Alzheimer's disease or perhaps Parkinson's.

I have no science to back what I'm typing here. These are simply the thoughts and sharing of what might be - the ramblings of a creative.

But what if we remained friends with Gilbert into our golden years? What if we understood that creativity is vital as we become a blue-hair? What if we never lost that sense of wonder we had as a kid long into the years when we need to have our dinner put in a blender and chew with our gums?

Creativity is vital as we age. Period.

Here are a few ways to stay sharp into our fogey years:

• Fingerpaint…
• Live on a cruise ship for a year (I don't know if it'll help, but shit, it would be fun)…
• Read the Kama Sutra and start "practicing" with your spouse (if it worked in your 30's it's gonna work now)…
• Write a story about how your best friend Gilbert saved your life…

The final word

Go find your Gilbert.

Never let him go.

Now.

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