PETER Pan — he’s the boy who can fly, the boy who refuses to grow up, the boy who chooses to stay in Neverland and fight pirates, hang out with mermaids and fairies. He’s a symbol of mischief, but just as well a model for maintaining that childlike wonder and eagerness to embrace every adventure that comes your way.

There is at least one Peter Pan in our life. He may be your little brother who constantly jumps from behind a closet to surprise you. She may be your perky friend who seems to walk on sunshine. They are people who keep that flame of being childlike alive inside them. Sometimes it gets irritating, especially when it seems like they’re not taking life as seriously as you are. But the truth is, without them, your own sense of optimistic balance gets thrown off.

There are several Peter Pans in my life — my husband, my Dad and my 14-year-old cousin. My husband complements my quiet, reserved personality with his outspoken, playful one. When I’m getting too uptight, he always reminds me to take it easy, to chill out, to just enjoy things as they are. His consistent embracing of his childlike wonder keeps my own in check. My Dad is another Peter Pan. He’s just so funny. He is business-like most of the time and quite reserved (I got that from him), but when he cracks a joke and acts “makulit” (silly) with the family, I know he’s very much young at heart. And because of that, he keeps us young at heart too. Finally, my kid cousin is also my Peter Pan. Perhaps it is because of her age — her interests are fascinating, her childlikeness truly genuine, and she’s great to hang out with.

These three are the Peter Pans in my life. They keep me young and happy. They encourage me to embrace different adventures that get thrown my way with great optimism. By their example, I am reminded not to lose my sense of childlike wonder.

Who’s your Peter Pan?

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