We yearn to be innocent children running barefoot through the trees, our shirts stained with mud and grass, and the air full of unbound childish laughter. But as we grow up, our lives feel more complicated and stressful. We take on more responsibility, face societal pressure, and endure through hardships. We tend to lose that childish wonder and joy, but here’s the good thing: We can learn to be children again, or in other words, learn to cultivate that boundless childish joy we thought was lost forever.

The magic of the present moment

As a child, I only ever thought of the present moment. I gave my full attention to what I was eating, watching, doing, or talking about, and rarely did I think too much of the past or future.

However, as we grow up, our mind tends to overthink past events or worry about a future that hasn’t happened. If we constantly dissociate from the present, we fail to notice all the beautiful things around us. We’re trapped in our heads, reliving past events or imagining an anxious future that might never happen.

That shouldn’t be the case.

Our thoughts are only thoughts, and they can’t 100% predict the future or accurately recall the past. We usually believe that thinking too much will solve our problems, but it tends to do the opposite; it makes our problems appear more complicated and overwhelming, which places us in a stressful environment and doesn’t help us think of new ideas and solutions.

Here’s how to overcome this dilemma: Don’t judge or blame yourself for getting lost in your thoughts; instead, observe your thoughts, emotions, and the places you store physical tension in your body. Take a deep breath and imagine that breath traveling to the places in your body where you feel those stressful emotions. For example, if you’re feeling anxious because of an anxious thought and you feel that emotion in your chest, take a deep breath and feel your chest expand and fill with air, and as you exhale through your mouth, imagine all that tension and tightness dissolving away and leaving your body through your mouth. By feeling those emotions, you release them and take back your power from your thoughts and channel it into the present moment.

You can also engage with the world around you. Go immerse yourself in a deep conversation, take a walk, try to spot four pink objects, tap into your body, and feel the way your feet push off the ground.

Remember to appreciate the present moment because you’ll never be in it again.

Do something you love

As a kid, I would engage in a variety of interactive and interesting activities like building Legos, drawing, playing with my dolls, or playing dress up. Nowadays, most people devote less time to themselves and instead tend to overwork and exhaust themselves. They doom scroll during their free time and get stuck in a cycle of dopamine addiction, which leaves them feeling drained.

It’s safe to say that overworking yourself and doom-scrolling for hours won’t make you feel fulfilled and peaceful. Make time to do enjoyable hobbies that energize you. Join clubs, workshops, online courses, purchase books or ebooks, and start learning more about what you like.

If you don’t know what you’re interested in yet, don’t worry! Set up your schedule so you have time to try new things and investigate what hobbies resonate with you.

When we make time for ourselves, we send a subconscious message to our mind that our mental health is important and we’re worthy of our time and energy. Practicing your hobbies can also make you feel re-energized to carry on with your other tasks and commitments in your life.

You don’t have to stay in a constant state of anxiety and stress; by staying in the present moment and having a hobby that makes you feel alive can bring back the peace and joy you thought was lost forever.

We Can Be Children Again was originally published in ILLUMINATION on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Nature heals us when we open our hearts to it.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please consult a medical expert before incorporating these remedies into your diet.

Did you know that a great majority of the medicines we purchase today incorporate chemicals found in plants as a primary and necessary ingredient?

It’s true.

Let’s explore five fascinating ancient medicines and how modern medicine incorporates them to heal patients.

Willow tree bark

People in China and Europe chewed willow bark 3500 years ago because it was a natural remedy for pain and inflammation.

The bark has similar properties to the Aspirin we use today since it contains a chemical called Salicin which is an alcohol that breaks down into glucose and salicyl acid once consumed. The alcohol is then converted into the chemical salicylic acid through a process called oxidation. Salicylic acid might reduce the production of prostaglandins, a chemical responsible for inflammation, and hence provide pain relief and comfort.

Today, willow bark is an ingredient found in supplements, creams, and even skincare to exfoliate the skin without causing inflammation. Additionally, people can still chew the tree bark, drink it as tea, and even find or make willow bark tincture to rub on their skin.

A study conducted in 2021 found antimicrobial properties in willow bark since researchers found antiviral and antibacterial effects. Moreover, a 2024 study suggested that willow bark can reduce aging and encourage antioxidant activities. However, more research is required to further understand the benefits.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops were used by ancient Greeks for their ability to manage Alzheimer’s disease. The first documentation of the snowdrop effects came from Homer’s Odyssey where some scholars argue that Homer describes Odysseus using the flower to clear his mind of Circe’s enchantment.

Although the flower has been used since ancient times, only in the 1950s did researchers extract the alkaloid galantamine, an alkaloid that is responsible for snowdrop’s fascinating effects, after a Bulgarian pharmacologist witnessed villagers rubbing their foreheads with the flower’s leaves and bulbs to reduce nerve pain. Researchers studied galantamine and found it to be a competitive acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which promotes acetylcholine, a neurotransmtted that improves cerebral function, in the brain.

Galantamine was then approved as a drug in 1958 United States and is used to reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and mild dementia.

Milkweed

Milkweed is a poisonous plant because it contains cardiac glycoside that can cause swelling, rashes, respiratory issues, and diarrhea when taken in large doses. Regardless of its hazards, the plant was used by Native Americans and European settlers in the past. Native Americans taught European settlers how to boil milkweed so it could safely be consumed.

The milkweed’s white sap was applied to the skin to remove warts, and the roots were chewed to treat dysentery. Additionally, infusing the roots and leaves in water and drinking it were done to suppress coughs, and treat typhus fever and asthma. Moreover, Milkweed was also used as a painkiller and given to women after childbirth.

In today’s age, milkweed seeds, filled with Omega 7, are made into milkweed seed oil and used to soothe sore muscles. Cardiac Glycoside found in milkweed can improve cardiac performance in people who have heart failure and also reduce abnormally fast heartbeats.

Borage

Using borage plants for recipes and medicine originated in Southern Italy. Traditionally, borage leaves would be consumed fresh in salads or cooked for pastas and soups. Flowers can also be added to give a spark of color and for their sweet honey taste.

Borages are known for their rich gamma Linoleic acid (GLA) which is an omega-6 fatty acid that decrease inflammation. Borages is also known to decrease asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation and swelling in the airways. However, it is unclear on the mechanism by which borages reduce swelling in the airways. Moreover, the GLA in borage oil can promote wound healing and treat skin conditions like eczema.

In today’s world, there are borage supplements (rich in GLA) available to purchase so individuals can opt out of consuming borage in its raw form and still get the benefits of GLA.

Dandelions

In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelions were used to treat stomach problems, breast problems, appendicitis, and lack of milk flow. In Europe, dandelions were used to treat fevers, eye problems, and diabetes. Some choose to consume a dandelion raw or boil it to add it to other dishes.

These plants are known to be highly nutritious. When eaten raw, they are a rich source of vitamins C, A, and K. They also provide many minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The flower is also rich in carbohydrate inulin which is a type of insoluble fiber that supports the growth of healthy gut bacteria in the digestive tract. Additionally, dandelions contain high levels of antioxidant beta-carotene which protects cells from being damaged.

It’s pretty fascinating to explore these ancient medicines and its significance and contribution to modern day medicine. It’s safe to say that nature can heal us if we explore the outdoors and all the wonders it has to offer.

References:‌‌

Ahn, S., Kim, K. A., Lee, S., & Kim, K. H. (2024). Potential skin anti-aging effects of main phenolic compounds, tremulacin and tremuloidin from Salix chaenomeloides leaves on TNF-α-stimulated human dermal fibroblasts. Chemico-biological interactions, 402, 111192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111192

Ajmera, R. (2018, July 18). Dandelion benefits: Nutrition, antioxidants, and inflammation. Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dandelion-benefits#skin-health

Ancient herbs. (n.d.). https://www.getty.edu/publications/resources/virtuallibrary/0892360356.pdf

Butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa L. (n.d.). https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_astu.pdf

‌Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Cardiac glycosides: Types and what they treat. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24512-cardiac-glycosides

Common Milkweed: Uses and natural remedies. (n.d.). Almanac.com. https://www.almanac.com/common-milkweed-uses-and-natural-remedies

Herbs in history: Borage. (2025). Ahpa.org. https://www.ahpa.org/herbs_in_history_borage

‌Le, N., Herz, C., Gomes, J., Förster, N., Antoniadou, K., Mittermeier-Kleßinger, V., Mewis, I., Dawid, C., Ulrichs, C., & Lamy, E. (2021). Comparative Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Salix Cortex Extracts and Acetylsalicylic Acid in SARS-CoV-2 Peptide and LPS-Activated Human In Vitro Systems. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(13), 6766. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136766

Lin, C.-R., Huang, S., Che, W., Lee, C., Hung, S.-W., Ting, Y. M., & Hung, Y. (2023). Willow Bark (Salix spp.) Used for Pain Relief in Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Life, 13(10), 2058–2058. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13102058

Milkweed plant can cause serious poisoning. (n.d.). Www.poison.org. https://www.poison.org/articles/milkweed-can-cause-serious-poisoning-204

Willow bark: The natural solution to clear skin. ‌(2025). Biocule.com. https://biocule.com/blogs/news/willow-bark-the-natural-solution-to-clear-skin

Zerbe, L. (2022, July 21). Milkweed: The #1 Plant You Need to Start Growing ASAP. Draxe.com. https://draxe.com/nutrition/milkweed/

In a world moving away from studying languages, people forget the dangerous power of mastering the arts of a language.

Sometimes, finding time to study a language thoroughly or majoring in a language is deemed unnecessary and a ‘waste of time.’

It’s too much work and it doesn’t even relate to what you do for a living or planning to do. What if you don’t achieve anything worthwhile after spending hours improving your writing, reading, and speaking skills? Also, what job other than teaching can you do if you decide to major in English? You don’t need to learn how to write and speak really well, your expertise and knowledge in biology, environmental science, or any other discipline you’re studying will be enough to secure you a bright and stable future. I mean, you only need to know the basics of writing and reading and how to put words together to create sentences, right?

Wrong.

When I graduated from high school last year, I considered following my love for English literature but I was worried about my financial security and success if I chose to follow my passion. I considered other degrees like international studies and psychology, even medicine and journalism but nothing felt right. I’ve spoken to so many counselors but I still couldn’t decide what other major to choose. That’s because deep down I really wanted to study English, but my hesitation, gut-twisting dread, and paralyzing fear about the state of my future if I chose to go down that path stopped me. After some deep self-reflection and research, I found that studying English is essential to succeed in life, and this applies to all native languages. I might sound crazy to you right now but read along and I’ll explain how studying a language is crucial to succeed. In this article, I’ll be defining success as a positive and long-lasting influence in any field of study.

Persuade Anyone

Words have the power to persuade almost everyone. It’s no wonder politicians, psychologists and almost every major rely on words to not only represent their identity and what they stand for but to also build connections and persuade a large audience to think in a specific way when needed. The world doesn’t understand that words can be used as weapons to promote or destroy an idea, they are basic blocks we construct together to communicate and if you learn to master language to write and speak well, you can hold great influential power over almost anyone you encounter.

For example, Salespeople often rely on persuasive language to close deals, focusing on understanding and addressing customer needs rather than solely on product knowledge. By actively listening and empathizing with clients, using rhetorics and powerful adjectives, they build trust and influence purchasing decisions. Hence the rhetorics you use plays an influential role in persuading people. When I say rhetorics, I mean language that appeals to the customers emotions, logic and shows credibility in the product. Additionally, Politicians often gain support by using persuasive language to connect with voters, even when they lack deep expertise on specific issues. By understanding constituents’ concerns and articulating messages that resonate emotionally, they can secure votes and win elections. Even when the politician’s opponent is well-versed in a topic but doesn’t appeal to the viewer’s emotions, chances are, the viewers will find him boring.

Psych Central (2015) states that the choices human beings make are a result of the interaction between intellect and emotions. However, emotions often interfere with intellect most of that time and individuals will most likely do what feels best rather than considering the long-term consequence. That’s not to say expertise on a subject is useless but it shows expertise and using statistics and facts alone without wordplay and appealing to the viewer’s emotions and values using the selective persuading adjectives and verbs is ineffective in influencing others against an opponent who appeals to the reader’s emotions and desires by using powerful adjectives and rhetorical devices. How many politicians have we seen win not necessarily because of their expertise but because of the confidence and charm shown by the words they speak? I’m not saying use words to trick and manipulate people but to consider the power of words to persuade people.

You can still appeal to the readers’ emotions by using statistics, facts, and expertise but the way you choose to communicate those things using language can impact the way viewers receive your ideas. How do you communicate those statistics and facts well? How often should you use statistics and how often should you repeat them? What statistics and facts should you chose to deliver your message to make sure they connect to your message well? That’s where studying the art of language comes into play.

Spread your Ideas and Research Effectively

Now you might not be trying to convince people to agree with your ideas. But what if you choose to write a novel, article, opinion piece, research paper, or any form of published writing? Writing is a huge component of language and how clearly and concisely you write about your ideas can either build or break the appeal of your published work. Since words are the vessels on which we carry our thoughts, ideas, and opinions, if we cannot build these vessels properly, they won’t travel far and reach their mark. But if we learn to communicate our ideas with carefully selected words and rhetorics appropriate for our writing piece, we can convey ideas and insightful messages in a way that appeals to the readers and captures their interest, potentially changing their beliefs, values, and ways of thinking. Imagine how powerful that is! If you study a language, you can greatly influence people with your work, that’s why some books are banned in our society, it’s because of the great influence they have over the public. In terms of research papers and reports or any form of an objective writing piece, there’s no point in having ideas and research if you can’t articulate them effectively.

By studying languages, you not only learn how to hook the audience or readers in with your words but you have the power to change the world. Words can leave a lasting impact on a person for the rest of their lives. Your words, if chosen and structured effectively, can still be relevant and leave a legacy even after your death for future generations to come. Like novels, speeches and quotes that are used as a source of inspiration, insight and knowledge in our modern days.

As a final note, I strongly recommend taking a few courses in your preferred language so you can improve your language skills. You can take courses in university or join workshops available online. To those who have a deep passion for a language and want to pursue it as a major but are terrified, take the leap. Language opens so many doors of job opportunity from freelance editing, creative writing, journalism, teaching, tutoring, content writing, script writing, and so many more. Who knows what other opportunities will come knocking your way or the wonderful people you’ll meet? Life is too short to reminisce about a choice you wanted to make but didn’t.

References:

Grohol, J. M. (2015, October 20). Humans are governed by emotions. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/blog/humans-are-governed-by-emotions#1

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