Christmas is almost upon us (Heaven help my pocketbook!), and I am finally starting to feel the spirit of it. The lights and music and the smell of gingerbread remind me how it felt to be a child. And that reminded me of this wonderful quote from Einstein.
There are a few different version of this quote floating around the internet, and at one point I even wondered whether or not he had actually said it (incorrect attribution is kind of an online epidemic, but I’m sure you’ve noticed that already!).
The full quote is taken from a letter that Einstein wrote to his old friend, Otto Juliusburger, in September 1942: “People like you and I, though mortal of course like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live. What I mean is we never cease to stand like curious children before the great Mystery into which we were born.” (Source: Fauxinstein Strikes Again!)
In full context, the words take on a slightly different meaning (descriptive instead of encouraging). But the sentiment is still the same, and gives us something for which to strive.
Here’s to keeping our sense of childlike wonder, throughout the holiday season and beyond. There is so much magic and beauty in the world: may we never lose our eagerness to look for it, or our ability to see it.
Happy Holidays, friends!
