Inner Child

Finding strategies for self-acceptance as we Fall And Recover in our lives is important. Many years ago someone facilitated a visualization on the inner child for me and it stayed with me throughout my lifetime. I've utilized my own version of it again and again towards my own self-awareness and in turn have passed it on to many people who have since crossed my path.

Utilizing our imagination to create mental images can be a powerful tool to bring us to new insights about ourselves. The key is to involve your senses in a deep processing of every aspect of the image you are creating; details of colors, textures, sounds, feelings, people and objects will bring the experience more fully alive in your mind's eye. The more we feel the experience in our body the greater the impact.

I find we often lose sight of how far we've come in our lives; the magnitude of the things we have accomplished and overcome as well as the wonder and joy we've experienced as we strive for that which hasn't been achieved/done yet. Coming face to face with ourselves as a young child and telling him/her of what lies ahead and all of the amazing things and people they will experience, as well as assuring them that when difficult things happen, we always learn important lessons and open to yet new opportunities-- it helps to bring things into perspective. Remember, this is your visualization, so you can create anything that you want; your own setting, details, and dialog with your inner child. Make it your own.

1. Find a comfortable seat and begin aware breathing (Umbrella Breathing) incorporating upward energy (Basketball Head) and connection to your core (Zip It!) as you utilize the breath to integrate mind and body. Outer body is relaxed, inner body energized and awake.

2. Imagine you are walking in a favorite place. Mine is a pine forest. As I walk, I smell the pine scent and feel the warmth of the sun through the trees as I pass through pools of light. I feel a gentle breeze on my skin, hear the sounds of birds in the distance and sense the soft pine needles under my bare feet. I immerse myself in the sensory experience of every aspect of my place as I continue to walk, breathing and discovering as I go.

3. Ahead I see a clearing and make my way with curiosity only to discover a white sandy beach. As I step onto the beach, my senses are awakened in very different ways; the smell of the salt air, the heat of the sun on my skin, a gentle breeze rustling my hair. As I approach the water's edge I notice a raft in the distance floating toward the shore. As the raft comes nearer I recognize a young child.

4. She reaches little arms towards me when I realize that the child is me at about 4 years old. I am so excited to see her and lift her onto my lap as I sit on the sand. I feel the softness of her skin and smell the sweetness of her hair. She looks at me with an open and innocent face and I want to tell her of all that lies ahead for her. Of the exciting places and people she will know, of the love she will feel and of all that she will accomplish, all that she will become. We talk and hug and giggle luxuriously for as long as it takes. Linger in the experience.

5. Gently I set my inner child back on the raft and kiss her goodbye, happily knowing we can meet again whenever the spirit moves or the need arises for a deeper connection to and appreciation of myself. Carry this experience in your heart as you begin another week appreciating yourself and your life even more and imagining all you will have to share the next time. And please remember to Mind Your Body.

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