There are numerous reasons to look at the world from a child’s point of view. First, there is so much we can learn from their thoughts. Don’t just look at the world from their view figuratively, but literally get down on a child’s level once in a while.
I’ll begin by sharing a story of a little gal I call my niece. This gregarious youngster knows no boundaries. She’s always one to tell it like it is and often makes her parents laugh in astonishment. I’ll admit. She’s made me laugh more than a time or two as well. (Boy, do I feel sorry for whomever the lad is that asks for her hand in marriage.)
I share the story because she came to visit and enjoyed playing at the lake, chasing the ducks and geese, and of course, had to try to ride the goats. She’s a lively city kid, who loves coming to the ranch, and we love having her.
“Spend more time with your family and friends, whether it be outside, hunting, at the shooting range or around the table, savoring all life has to offer.” MM
At the Anstine Ranch, we have a policy of “Make yourself at home.” Since this girl is like family, she’s been here often enough to know the routine.
As I chopped vegetables we’d have later that evening, she politely asked if it would be okay for her to warm up a macaroni and cheese before dinner. Of course, I believe if you’re hungry, you should eat. I gave her the go-ahead, and she grabbed a microwave bowl of mac’n cheese.
She opened the microwave and said, “Why is your microwave so dirty?” I froze in my tracks. “What?” I looked over at the shiny box that blasts radio waves to cook, heat and thaw snacks. Again I thought, “What?”
I walked over, stooped down, and sure enough, inside, the top of the microwave had food splatter.
Now, I can place the blame on who, what, and where, but that’s not the point. If that little one hadn’t seen the mess, I’d have missed it until the next big cleaning day.
Okay. Okay. What does that have to do with ‘Mia’s Motivations’ and survival and the like?
You see to give you the correlation; I need to share yet another story.
Let’s venture back to a December deer hunt. It was a young lady’s first doe hunt. As her dad put the rifle on the shooting sticks, he calmed her. They proceeded just as they’d practiced at the range so many times. He helped her hold the rifle steady and directed her attention to where the deer stood.
She steadied, took a deep breath, and pulled the trigger. The deer jumped and trotted down the hill, and the log splintered between the hunters and the deer. You see, always remember to get down on a child’s level. From dad’s point of view, the sticks, rifle, and shot were perfectly aligned. For the youngster, the line of site was a bit different.
Ultimately, she learned to persevere and did eventually tag a doe. She learned to be proud to fill the freezer with organic meat. She also learned about the work that goes into hunting. It’s not always easy.
As you head out to hunt, remember to be a mentor. Share ethics, responsibility, and conservation, and don’t forget to be empathetic in the process.
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Mia Anstine is an outdoor writer, licensed outfitter, hunting guide, life coach, keynote speaker, and range safety officer, firearms instructor, and archery instructor. She is the founder of MAC Outdoors and Host of the MAC Outdoors Podcast.
Mia Anstine strives to encourage others to get outside, hunt, fish, shoot, and survive life with others in a positive way.
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Mia Anstine
MAC Outdoors LLC
PO Box 31
Ignacio, CO 81137-0031
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