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Thinking Outside of the Box

"Great is the human who has not lost his childlike heart."— Mencius 

Caine's Arcade

Today my co-worker sent me a super rad video about a 9-year old boy named Caine from East Los Angeles, who built his own arcade out of cardboard boxes. He runs the arcade out of his dad's used auto part store and even used his own toys as many of the prizes. You HAVE to watch the video to see how amazing this story really is. His innovation is captivating and humbling. In a society plagued with digital gadgets (ahem yes, that includes you reading this on your iPhone/iPad haha), Caine reminded me of how important it is to not lose your ability to be creative.

His story gives new meaning to the term "think outside the box!" He literally did just that and more than anything I believe Caine's Arcade sets a good example to us all of what can be accomplished by using our imagination. Growing up I remember making the most elaborate things out of boxes or things found around the house. Heck, Barbie had the best house as far as I'm concerned and it was simply made from my mom's old shoe boxes. Some of my best childhood memories were pulling my little brother and sister around in a large box, with a jump rope tied to the end. I would stuff my siblings in there with all my stuffed animals, tie a jump rope to the front of the box and PULL AWAY! We would use the old box until the bottom was so worn it wouldn't slide anymore.

Watching Caine's story I was reminded of all those good times and more than anything grateful that my parents did not jump at every opportunity to buy us the newest toy around. Maybe I did not realize it then, but boy did it open doors for my imagination to be set free. Caine's arcade while simple, is so much more complex in theory. This will hopefully set the foundation for a bright future to one day own his own arcade, and I bet it will be one of the very best out there. I just hope that when that day arrives he keeps with the simplicity of what he has today.

I hope you enjoyed this video as much as I did! It made me so excited that I just may go home and build a fort out of blankets and my dining room chairs! The best part about doing this now, is I do not have to make sure it is down by dinner time. Forget planning a trip to Disney Land, if you are heading to sunny California make sure you stop by Caine's Arcade and do not forget to get the "fun pass" it is worth 500 plays!

I wish Caine much success in his business and hope this inspires us all to never lose our inner child.

-Ane :)

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