Harriet Cabelly, LCSW
Therapist . Speaker . Author
I was in Los Angeles last month for a few days and had a wonderful time seeing my husband’s family and playing tourist to many sites and activities. One of my highlights was meeting Leah Adler and getting to spend some fun time schmoozing with her.
Who is Leah Adler, you ask? She is Steven Spielberg’s mother who owns a restaurant called, Milky Way. She is also a real hoot – a most surprising 91 year old woman with vim, vigor and enthusiasm like you don’t often see in people, let alone someone that age. Obviously she’s chronologically old, but childlike in essence.
I want to be like her (if) when I grow up to be her age.
Alphabet blocks were hung on the bathroom doors to display the Men’s and Women’s room. 
She had pictures of herself with her family on display in amusing poses – hanging upside down, pinching Steven’s nose.
She went around sitting with each group of people at their tables talking and taking a real interest in everyone. I also got a chance to speak to her one-on-one for quite a while where I learned she was a social worker way back when in Ohio.
But back to being childlike. What is that childlike essence that radiated from Ms. Adler and was so appealing?
It’s a sense of joy, wonder, excitement, curiosity, glee that emanates. It’s the ability to be real and playful without worrying how you’re coming across. It’s an openness, an honesty and vulnerability to the unknown. Everything is like a treat.
How can we develop a childlike or playful spirit?
Let’s start by Doing some playful things. Here are 10 suggestions. Warning: may require giving up some of those inhibitions.
Oh and here’s my other highlight of my trip to LA – I found a store off of Rodeo Drive that sold giraffe TV’s (and many other animals built around the TV). And it wasn’t even expensive. So here’s to my playful and very fun collection of giraffes!
Let’s lighten our load and engage in something playful today.
What playful/childlike things do you do?
Thank you for stopping by. Please spread the Playful word. And leave your playful tips.
Harriet, you look like a giant next to Ms. Adler! How interesting is that!
Love your performance at the nursing home. The residents look like they were having a really good time!
For fun I love singing to the oldie but goodie songs in my car! A real stress releaser. Keep blogging. I really enjoy reading what you have to say.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for commenting. Mrs. Adler is a little lady as cute as can be with a personality as big as can be.
Singing out loud in your car is great fun; you can let it all out!
Hey Harriet,
When you described your list, I thought of my daughter. I recalled her doing #1 to #5. Of course she did many more child like things. Now her younger brother is following suit.
I admire Mrs Adler and all those her age that can behave like a child and have so much fun. It really brings more smile and joy back into life. If you ask me how to be happy, I won’t hesitate with the answer: Just be child like.
A child has no worries in the world. A child has no limits. A child has has all the creativity in the world. A child will try anything new. A child will make friends with anyone. And so much more. If only we could live like that all our lives rather than wait for old age to do this again. I think some people who are enlightened are getting there. I believe you and I are one of those.
BTW, this is the third time I am subscribing to you. Hope things get through this time. I realize that I have missed some of your post over the last week or so because of this. Am catching up now.
Cheers
Hi Jimmy,
If we could all live a bit more child-like, we’d have a ‘lighter’ world with more joy.
You get to live child-like now with your children. As they grow up and perhaps lose some of that, you keep at it. They may be embarrassed by it (as teenagers don’t want to be seen with ‘silly’ parents) but you keep your “enlightened” self there.
Thanks for stopping by. I have not gotten notice through email that you’ve subscribed. Don’t know what the problem is; others have come through recently.
Hi Harriet,
My first time on your blog, and I’m here after reading about your blog in one of Jimmy’s posts.
Steven Spielberg’s mother is inspiring. I think enjoying life and not making things too tough for yourself has a lot to do with good health. Being child-like is a great means of being happy and enjoying the little things in life. As we grow, we often forget that there is a child in each one of us.
My kids bring out the child in me, and it’s real fun. Just need to remember to continue to enjoy some childlike moments even after they grow up 🙂
Cheers,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Welcome! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Yes, enjoying the little things in life is so key to appreciating and deriving joy, something we all need more of. And yes, as you say, “as we grow we often forget there’s a child in each of us.” Mrs. Adler reminds us never to forget that child in us all. It keeps us youthful, vibrant and excited about life. We need to tap into it so we can expand our possibilities and our joy.
Hope to ‘see’ you again. I will visit your site as well.
Do miracles really happen?
Hi Harriet,
It appears that they do, back in business. Keep up the great work.
be good to yourself
David
Great to have you back!!! You’ve been missed.