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Grow Up!
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"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
~ Pablo Picasso
This week, The Weekly Beet reports on the power that reconnecting with your inner child can have on the mind, the body, and the spirit. Mary Kent heads to a favorite childhood park,
remembering that at the end of the day, we're all just big kids at heart!
 We've all said the phrase, 'I don't want to grow up' partially kidding, but deep down knowing that for us some us the idea of being an adult is absolutely terrifying! Becoming an adult equals more responsibility, which means less play time for many of you big kids out there. And, for the inner child, playtime is exactly what it is seeking! The inner child always has a way of sneaking out of its protective, adult shell in order to be heard, seen, and appreciated and it will do anything in order to achieve just that. Carl Jung called this aspect of ourselves the 'divine child' and Emmet Fox called it the 'wonder child', but most psychologists refer to the inner child as the 'true self.' Whatever the name, there is clearly an emotional aspect to many of us that has been lying dormant and is just waiting for the chance to let loose. Emerging in the 70s, the idea of reconnecting with the inner child emerged as a way to heal adult addiction, trauma, stress, codependence, and abuse. Because the phase of childhood was dictated by those who raised us and the particular environment we found ourselves in, the potential for unhealed scars and past wounds existing in the emotional body seems to linger until it is fully allowed to heal. And, it really isn't until most of do grow up that we find this childlike aspect of the self speaking, being, and thinking a particular language of woundology that keeps us from fully expressing our creativity, our passion, our free spirit, and, essentially, our freedom to love.
It's a mind-blowing concept to think that our childhood behavior could possibly have the power to create and shape our present reality. But, psychology states that the ways we interacted with and were impacted by friends, teachers, parents, and siblings when we were children is in fact carried out until we understand these repetitive childhood behaviors and observe the child within. So, let's go within! Think back to those days that may seem so long ago and think about who you were. Were you a brat, a scaredy cat, the quiet one, or perhaps the class bully? Were you:
 - The Playful Child
- The Spoiled Child
- The Neglected Child
- The Abandoned Child
- The Fearful Child
- The Unbonded Child
- The Discounted Child
- The Spiritual Child
You were definitely one of the above, if not two! Recognizing the child within and the games it plays is one of the most healing things we can do to move through stuck emotions, pain, and trauma. So, now that you know who you were as a kid, click here to find out more and here to find out just how old your inner child actually is.
But, the funniest part of the whole inner child concept is that there is in fact a little child screaming within all of us that is just dying to feel loved, safe, and happy. It's a notion as simple as that, yet as adults we make it so much more complicated when the mind attempts to rationalize it all! So, how do you let that child come out without it throwing the usual tantrum? Here are a few ways to reconnect with the inner child that will easily free your kicking and screaming, childlike spirit:
- Create. Paint. Draw. Envision. See yourself creating something fun and do it! Whatever it is, your inner child will scream with joy. Reconnecting with your creativity is the top way to align with your inner child.
- Nap. An after school nap is the best way to regain energy. Tired after work? Then climb into bed for a quick nap! You'll be so happy you did.
- Laugh. This is afterall the best medicine of all! There's nothing better than laughing out loud. Laugh at yourself. Laugh at others. Laugh at how serious we take everything.
- Dance. Let loose and go dancing! This is super therapeutic!
- Dare to dream. Kids dream big, so why can't adults! Think of all the wonderful things you wanted to be when you grow up. Know that now you can!
- Play. As adults, we get so bogged down with work that we forget this essential action! Play board games, cards, puzzles, or whatever other games you used to play as a kid.
- Connect with nature. Go outside and be with Mother Earth. Children easily make time to be outdoors and so should adults. It's seriously healing!
- Let go. Learn to accept things just as they are and let them ALL go. There is a part of you that is dying to lighten up and let go of your serious nature.
- Sit with your emotions. Give yourself a few minutes a day to sit and allow your emotions to come up. It sounds hilarious, but we all know what happens when emotions become repressed and unexpressed! We get sick. So, give yourself the gift of sitting quietly while your emotions come and go. Your inner child will thank you
Grow up! It's time to listen to your inner child! Don't miss a Beet. Stay tuned for next week.
Love,
Mary Kent
PS. Mary Kent is wearing top by J. Crew. Her nephew is wearing top from Heron Island, Australia.
PPS. Check out Tom's Shoes. They rock!
PPPS. Don't miss Tarma Designs.
PPPPS. Check out Prana's Winter Specials.
PPPPPS. Check out Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way, on Ladies Who Launch.
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Copyright ©2008 The Weekly Beet
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