Escape Adulthood with Kim & Jason » A Manifesto for the Childlike

«« Really Big News to Share! • Home • Adultitis Case Study #7: The Park »»

May 28th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

When Club K&J was first conceived, it was pretty much a modest fan club for people who liked my comic strip, “Kim & Jason.”

Little did I know that it was the seed for something much greater, and much more important.

Over the past several years, as Kim and I have criss-crossed the country to share our ideas with people that are stressed-out, burned-out, and busy, I have begun to grasp the gravity of our mission. Enthusiastic and heartfelt encouragement of people who we meet along the way share phrases like “keep on doing what you’re doing” and “the world needs this, hang in there.” For a while, I absorbed these comments as little more than polite words of thanks, and sometimes as prideful pats on the back. Now I’m starting to see them as affirmations for when the going gets tough, and reminders that this journey is bigger than me, and certainly bigger than the little comic strip that started it all.

One thing I am starting to realize is that people whose childlike spirit is alive and well — the folks serious about not taking themselves too seriously — are too often in the minority. They often don’t have many other people in their life who share the same outlook on things. Sometimes Kim and I are the only ones telling them that there’s nothing wrong with them. What’s worse, the Adultitis-ridden people around them (sometimes even their closest friends or spouses) try to make them feel “irresponsible,” “childish,” or “immature.”

I am familiar with this sort of scrutiny, because we get it all the time. When we started this crazy ride almost eight years ago, I thought we had a pretty benign and agreeable message. I mean, who could argue with having more fun? With dreaming big while appreciating the little things? With spending our lives doing what we are passionate about?

Little did I know.

I guess people have a real problem with it. In a recent sampling of some of the online conversation going on about Kim & Jason, here are a few highlights of things actually said about us:

We are “delaying traditional responsibility” and are a “siren song coaxing people’s ships away from responsible channels.”

We are suffering from “Psychological Neoteny” a.k.a. ” a phenomenon that adults in modernizing liberal democracies increasingly retain many of the attitudes and behaviors traditionally associated with youth.”

We champion “a life that embraces a childlike spirit which is only really viable if someone else is paying for that life.”

We promote “cockamamie age-faking strategies.”

We “package childhood in a non-threatening way in order to sell things.”

We “use specious arguments designed to stress out caring adults to sell stuff in (our) store.”

Yikes. A benign and agreeable message indeed! (Public service announcement: you should probably run as far away from here as you can. We might just be responsible for the downfall of civilization.)

I could launch into a big diatribe on our stance between being childlike versus childish, but I feel pretty confident that anyone who has followed our blog or read our books or seen us speak knows where we stand. There are a couple of things I can take away from this. For one, we must be doing something right. Name someone who ever made history that was loved by everyone. Secondly, I can now see that this fight against Adultitis is not going to be an easy one to win.

Besides being greedy capitalists *wink, wink*, I believe that we at Kim & Jason are really in the permission business. It is my passion to let people know that not only is it more than ok to have fun and be childlike (not childish), it’s actually a key to a healthy, abundant, and fulfilled life.

Which brings me back to Club K&J. I believe the main purpose of Club K&J is to provide an opportunity for childlike people to connect with other people just like them, and to let them know that they’re not stranded on a deserted island. I want to build a community that inspires and empowers people to let that child inside come out and play.

Club K&J has evolved quite a bit over the years. Right now, the core features include a 25% discount from the Lemonade Stand, the quarterly Kim & Jason magazine (filled with articles and tips for escaping adulthood), and a continuously increasing treasure chest of exclusive content, such as bonus audio, video, and behind-the-scenes info.

The newly created Escape Events — our regularly scheduled opportunities for members to join together in doing something childlike — have the potential to become even more exciting as membership increases. As a wider number of people participate, we’ll enjoy a wider variety of solutions to each challenge. It could even grow to the point where Club K&J members are sending in suggestions for future challenges and the media is covering the phenomena because so many people are having fun with it.

Scale is a big key. As things grow, we’ll be able to more and more cool things. For instance, the monthly S.W.E.L.L. prizes and Escape Event awards will become more extravagant, maybe even including such things like cruise tickets or a year’s supply of ice cream. We’ll be able to look at creating our own social network, similar to MySpace or Facebook. With a bigger population of members, things like meetups in various cities become realistic. When Kim and I are somewhere for a speaking gig, I can see us inviting all Club K&J members in the area to meet us for desert afterwards. Another neat idea would be to organize Escape Adulthood themed-cruises, vacations, or outdoor festivals — almost like a Club &J annual convention!

This is my vision. I get excited just thinking about the possibilities.

Now, if you’re one of those curmudgeonly people against our “cockamamie age-faking strategies,” I would politely invite you to exit stage left. We’re not your cup of tea, and that’s ok. But if you love what we do, and if this vision excites you, I invite you to support us by subscribing to Club K&J.

Gasp! — he’s asking for money!!!

I understand that I am inciting the critics by asking people like yourself to plunk down $4.95 a month, but it’s pretty simple if you think about it. You can’t go very far in this world without money. To be able to create an organization I described above requires time and money and interested people. I’m perfectly content to be quite democratic about it. If people people like you see the value, buy in, and vote with their wallet, we can move forward. If they don’t, Club K&J will fade away. If we don’t do a good job of delivering value for people, they can unsubscribe at any time, as they should. Pretty straightforward stuff.

My belief is that Club K&J can be a catalyst to help us create a movement. Not a movement to amass any sort of power or to get any particular law passed. Maybe just a movement of people who join together in spirit and in action to prove to the naysayers that there is more to life than the cynicism, hectic busyness, and overwhelming stress that is typical of most modern lives. That we don’t have to spend our lives in ruts or believe in the pessimistic definition of adulthood that the world gives us.

And that yes, it’s possible to actually be childlike AND responsible all at the same time. What a concept.

38 Comments on the Chalkboard »

313977

“package childhood in a non-threatening way in order to sell things.”

Is there a way to package childhood in a “threatening” way?

Comment by Lisa Braithwaite on 5/28/2008 @ 6:28 pm

314002

I have discovered that some people just enjoy complaining - and will complain about anything and everything. They’ll even argue if you say the sky is blue - on a beautifully clear day! I’ve decided to simply laugh at them and the energy they are wasting - and enjoy my day! You go, guys!

Comment by Minette on 5/28/2008 @ 9:40 pm

314095

Sheesh…

Comment by kar on 5/29/2008 @ 12:10 pm

314097

One of my college professors once said that people who think fairy tales are just for kids need to grow up. I think a similar statement applies here. These naysayers need to grow up!

Comment by Steven on 5/29/2008 @ 12:24 pm

314101

Some people’s underwear is just too tight!

Comment by Kathy on 5/29/2008 @ 12:31 pm

314107

K&J,
Wow. You know you’re doing something right when people get so angry at ideas like reducing stress and having more fun. :0)

Don’t let those critics get you down. Your wonderful web site and fabulous articles are what keep me going on those rough days. I too, have often been accused of being “childish,” though I now know I’m simply being my child-like self. Without your support I may have given in to those many (way too many) critics.

I LOVE your vision. I will certainly do what I can to make those ideas become a reality. (My favorites are meeting up with other K&J members for events and the possibility of a year’s supply of ice cream. Woah. . .)

Power to the people. The FUN people!
KEEP IT UP!
Shirley

Comment by Shirley on 5/29/2008 @ 12:48 pm

314108

These critics couldn’t have even read your blog to read what they are saying. (WHO ARE THEY ANYWAY?!? :))They are equating you with childishness, which you have said there’s a difference between that and childlikeness. Let ‘em go in one ear, out the other.

Comment by Libby on 5/29/2008 @ 12:49 pm

314109

Some people would rather watch the news than smile once a day! Stop and smell the roses and have fun doing so, life is too short!!! You guys are great, keep making people laugh!

Comment by Lisa on 5/29/2008 @ 12:51 pm

314110

Oh, one more thing. Love the social network thing. You’d really reach more people with that. Also - anyone who uses Stumble Upon should add you guys - - that’ll bring in more people to join the fun. :0)

Comment by Shirley on 5/29/2008 @ 12:52 pm

314111

I love your comic strip, Ilook forward to reading it every Monday. I am 61 years old and as my daughter says I will be the 80 year old grannie who dances at her daughters wedding. Life is too short so everyone should enjoy it why they can, and yes I am just a kid at heart. Keep up the good work.

Comment by Sherry on 5/29/2008 @ 12:55 pm

314112

Kim and Jason,

There are always critics no matter what you do.

And, the fact that they bother to respond to it at all is a sign you’re on to something.

They’re either jealous or afraid.

Keep it up.

As Mother Teresa said:
“If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building someone may destroy overnight. Build anyway. The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world your best and it may never be enough. Give the world your best anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it’s all between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

Chris

Comment by Chris on 5/29/2008 @ 1:11 pm

314113

Interesting history fact in relation to this subject (of looking at life thru a young mind, a life lived in a happy view point…) … during the civil war there were Prison of War camps (north & south) after years of research they found out the ones that survived were the young boys and men that were “young in spirit”. They found letters from the young boys that started “picking on” and playing fun tricks on the men to lift their spirits. They lived thru the worst of times… interesting isnt’ it? Lesson to be learned ….
Keep up the snowballs of fun.. you bring us great joy and it’s contagious!!!

Comment by Cheri on 5/29/2008 @ 1:20 pm

314116

For that matter, anyone with adultitis needs to grow up! (or grow down?) :o)

Comment by Steven on 5/29/2008 @ 1:41 pm

314121

I think you just have to laugh at people who so clearly don’t get it, K&J. And spend your time with people like the commenters above, who clearly do get it. Keep up the great work!

Comment by Jen Robinson on 5/29/2008 @ 1:56 pm

314123

The critics of you and your philosophy are nuts! To agree with Libby, “in one ear, and out the other.” I did want to point out that the quote attributed to Mother Teresa, is actually from Dr. Kent Keith, and is used a lot in commencement speeches, etc. by various people. The original piece is from Do It Anyway: The Handbook for Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness in a Crazy World.

According to the author, Mother Teresa was so moved by these commandments that she hung them on a wall in her orphanage in Calcutta.

Comment by Marilyn on 5/29/2008 @ 2:09 pm

314129

Thanks for all you do to make people laugh and feel good inside. Often we take ourselves way too seriously and then don’t stop to see the blessings we have all around us. What a great world we live in! Let those negative comments out and breathe in positive thoughts. Your cartoons, blogs, etc. keep us going and help us to remember to be childlike, not childish. We need to smile, laugh, breathe deeply, dance, and take the time to relax and let go. Life is too short to waste it being negative or letting that negativism fill you with pain. Think about it…you’re doing a great service to people by keeping us positively motivated so we can minister to the people of God on a daily basis. Thanks for all you both do in your ministry!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Irene on 5/29/2008 @ 2:54 pm

314130

Hey Guys, we met at St. Patricks in Urbana Il a few years ago. I’m 66 years old, retired registered nurse, have seen more than I want to remember. All my life I’ve done things like made cotton cupcakes with frosting for my driver’s ed teacher, when I was a freshman. Really caught it, but it was soooo funny. I so look forward to your gems and giggle with you. God Bless both of you and keep’em comin’.
ps. the naysayers can just not read them and keep quiet while doing so. Pat

Comment by Pat Holden on 5/29/2008 @ 3:02 pm

314131

Here is one you will appreciate: A few years ago, I distributed free ice cream cone coupons as a giveaway during one of my presentations. The local ice cream dude had so much fun making the little coupons…the whole thing was more fun than copy machine and paper usually get.

But…as we distibuted the coupons as folks were leaving, I can’t tell you how many people looked at the coupon (with the big ice cream cone and the words “Free Ice Cream” at ______” and said “what are these for?”

What are these for? Huh??

{sigh} Some folks are “dream” folks are some are “drain” folks.

Perhaps Marden’s words will help you as they helped me that day:
“You must take your joy with you, or you will never find it.” O.S. Marden

Comment by helen on 5/29/2008 @ 3:08 pm

314136

Wow. I have to tell you, I love your cartoon. It is one of the greatest things I read every day! Keep up the good work, and don’t get too wrapped up in the negative . . .
I think you draw a very important, valuable line between being childlike and being childish. There is nothing irresponsible about fun - laughing is indeed very good medicine! I don’t feel like reading things you’ve written have ever made me want to shirk my responsibilities - but they do help me let go a little! The child inside of me loves what you’re doing - please keep at it!

Comment by sheri on 5/29/2008 @ 3:36 pm

314137

I have been secretly admiring your blog for awhile. You have an awesome concept and one that many people need to learn.

I like your club idea and I joined because I thought it would be fun.

Marlene

P.S. I have missed so many of the Thursday giveaways. Today I finally get here on a Thursday and it’s early buttttttttttttt there is no giveaway. Come back giveaway!!!!!!!

Comment by Marlene on 5/29/2008 @ 3:38 pm

314143

You know, negative comments wound our spirit, especially when we are trying to help lift others to their feet when they are down. Have you ever seen people gather ’round a negative person? NOT LIKELY…unfortunately for them, they just don’t get it. Like so many others, I encourage you to continue your ministry to those who appreciate what you are trying to do. I struggle to find the balance to keep from going too far the wrong way…sometimes it is hard to find that inner child. Thanks for all you do!!:-)

Comment by Cathy Kubitz on 5/29/2008 @ 4:03 pm

314145

We are still getting positive responses from your visit to Aurora, Colorado…

As far as I’m concerned, the day I give up my “childlike” attitude will be the day I die! Same difference, huh?

And anyone out there who doesn’t like it can just lump it!!! (Isn’t that a “mature” response?)

Keep at it you guys!

Comment by Jim on 5/29/2008 @ 4:06 pm

314148

Kim and Jason, Your site is great. I get your newsletter once a week. The thing’s you say. People can agree with. It bring’s a smile to my face. Thank you for everything.

Comment by Tina on 5/29/2008 @ 4:14 pm

314149

Today I am very very sad. I am sad because I have just learnt that there are some people in the world who are so growed up that they will probly die from it. I think thats called terminable fuddyduddy-ness. Or somethin like that. It is very sad.

I am going to go eat some icecream and look at the clouds and talk to my maginary friend Princess Elephunt. That will make me feel better. HEY! Do you think those people are so grumpy because they don’t have no icecream or maginary friends and their necks are stiff so they can’t look at all the beautiful clouds? I bet so! I think maybe you should suggest to them to do these things.

Signed, Geoffrey, age 45 years and 1 month and 23 days and I don’t know how many hours and minutes I should ask my mommy cuz I bet she knows xactly when I was borned.

Comment by Geoffrey on 5/29/2008 @ 4:21 pm

314170

Thanks for all the wonderful support, guys!

We’ve even gotten some brand new Club K&J members

P.S. Thursday Giveaway will be back in full force next week!

Comment by Jason on 5/29/2008 @ 5:57 pm

314171

I particularly like this commment:

We champion “a life that embraces a childlike spirit which is only really viable if someone else is paying for that life.”

Obviously this person doesn’t remember what it was like to be a child because as a kid you never had money. A Cardboard box was the greatest toy a kid could have. You don’t need money to be happy or enjoy a childlike spirit. Your message doesn’t encourage the kind of “childishness” this person is referring to. Instead you encourage imagination, creativity…things kids now-a-days are almost missing out on.

You have a great message that is relavent to people of all ages. Keep up the great work!

And remember for every one criticism you receive, there’s ten times that many that LOVE what you do! Thank you!!!

Comment by Lea on 5/29/2008 @ 6:18 pm

314176

I guess I better burn the Dinosaur tie I found at the Goodwill the other day… I was gonna wear it to work tomorrow… (of course, the Hawaiian shirt party the other day makes this look tame!)

Sure glad I don’t work with a bunch of stuffed shirts… Hawaiian or not!!!

Comment by Jim on 5/29/2008 @ 6:49 pm

314177

I want to say that we LOVE what you do! You help us to remember not to take life so seriously! Thank you for reminding us it is OK to just stop every once in a while. To just relax, take a deep breath & remember life can be fun. I am thankful that we can tell you - Please don’t stop and keep doing what you are doing. You are making us smile! Thank you!

Comment by Kim on 5/29/2008 @ 6:51 pm

314187

We love what you do at least in my household. Your art work graces our walls, my sons have personalized pictures with their names in the bedrooms, I have the magazines I have gotten with my subscription and people just love to rain on others parades, we recently purchased our “dream house” and my in laws have sat here this week and rained on our parade telling us all the small problems etc but yet the house is perfect in our eyes, don’t give up on K&J, Don’t give up on the comics - and remember people that do nothing but put people down really are just into crushing dreams, and I can’t wait to find more art work to grace the rest of our walls.

Comment by Katie on 5/29/2008 @ 8:08 pm

314188

I don’t have anything new to add, but wanted to show my support. I agree that these naysayers have chosen to misread/understand what you are proposing. I love receiving the daily cartoon and words of wisdom. Keep up the special work.

Comment by kate on 5/29/2008 @ 8:15 pm

314199

I too am very sad when people choose to share their unhappiness with others.
I gave a persuasive speech this week about being more childlike and supporting the cause. I had classmates humming along to Peter Pan’s,”I won’t grow up.” The person that was supposed to tell me when my time limit was up, was so captivated that she completely lost track of time. Many people came to me the next day and told me about eating dessert first, coloring, and pulling out their favorite childhood book and reading it to themselves.
None of them forgot to pay their rent, feed their kids or missed work because of it.
Your message is a blessing.

Comment by teresa on 5/29/2008 @ 10:03 pm

314202

K&J: You know I love you guys. Your energy and attitude is positively infectious, and I am super glad that you guys share your childLIKE attitude with me when I need it most. It’s helped me get through some tough times the past 6 months, and I appreciate that more than you know.

I really love (and think you need to think strongly about) what Helen said: “Some folks are dream folks, some folks are drain folks.” Keep surrounding yourselves with dreamers, and don’t worry about the drainers. Any reaction is a good reaction, because if you’re trying to be everything to everybody, you are nothing to nobody.

And you two are DEFINITELY not nobodies!

Hugs and smiles as you continue to make it great!

Comment by Phil Gerbyshak on 5/29/2008 @ 10:52 pm

314243

We love you guys here at our house. You are real, and you are fun! I’m glad to be a part of the silliness if you ask me. Why be boring?

Comment by TheNormalMiddle on 5/30/2008 @ 8:29 am

314328

Someone has a hard case of ADULTITIS….sometimes the biggest dreamers are the most frustrated, because are trapped in lackluster life where they long to be childlike again. do not blame them for their ignorance. just keep up your good works of spreading cheer, and childhood to the masses.
p.s. when did it become wrong to do what you love?

Comment by Pilar on 5/30/2008 @ 11:23 pm

314332

We love the cartoon and have saved them all. On a fixed income, there is not enough $ for all the little $4.95 things we would like so we are not club members, but we in NO WAY find criticism of what you do. You certainly don’t force anyone to purchase anything. LOVE YOU and KIM and JASON. Keep up the good work. It’s 1,000 miles ahead of anything else available to read or enjoy these days. Wish people would complain about pornography instead.

Comment by Lynn Jensen on 5/31/2008 @ 12:37 am

314583

As I was reading the comments I got a sorta tight feeling in my stomache and it brought back memories. Memories of constipation…what a perfect similarity. Maybe they should all take a laxative to release some of the pressure they must feel inside of them.

Comment by Toni Brown on 6/2/2008 @ 9:11 am

314589

I think it comes down to jealousy. These people are so afraid of what others think, and don’t have the confidence to play on the swings or make mud pies with their kids (or friends kids) or run excitedly into the ocean. So, they must criticize the ones who are centered in themselves and are not ashamed to have some good ole fun. It’s quite sad really. K&J - you guys are awesome. Keep up the good work.