When was the last time you had a conversation with your 3 year old, or your 7 year old, or your 12 year old…or any younger part of yourself that may be crying out for attention, acceptance or love?
For most people, the answer to that question is N.E.V.E.R.
Most of us believe that the past is the past, they’ve moved on and there’s no need to revisit that territory again, especially if there were times in their childhood that were painful, sad or scary.
And let’s be honest, even if you grew up in a loving home, there were still plenty of times when you may have felt unseen, unheard, shamed or afraid. I know there were for me, even with loving parents and a stable home environment (for which I am eternally grateful).
I get it. Who wants to go back and revisit painful, difficult memories and emotions?
Exactly, nobody!
More likely than not, we stuff those old painful experiences down, try to convince ourselves that we’ve gotten past whatever it may have been and march forward into the life we want to create for ourselves.
So, let me ask…how’s that working for you?
Are you moving through most of your days with joy, ease and flow, feeling energized, connected to your creativity, your inner knowing and the abundance of the Universe?
If you’re like most of the people I talk to everyday, the answer to that question is a BIG NO!
The overwhelming majority of folks are getting through each day feeling exhausted, anxious, physically stressed and overwhelmed, liked a hamster on a wheel, wondering whether it’s ever going to get any better or easier.
That’s not to say that there aren’t moments of joy, connection, gratitude and inner peace in all of our lives, but these are often fleeting and short lived. They are definitely not the primary, consistent feelings.
So what does any of this have to do with talking to your inner child?
EVERYTHING!
The younger parts of you do not exist in some perceived “past”. In fact, they are energetic beings which continue to live within your consciousness. They are primarily outside of your conscious awareness, in what we refer to as your sub- or unconscious.
As consciousness, they are there holding all of the memories, physical sensations and emotions that they experienced during your lifetime.
And, as an adult, you may be unconsciously thinking and acting on beliefs and behaviors that those younger parts of you adapted to survive, control or defend against whatever was happening in their world.
Research has shown that most of our beliefs, expectations of the world and ways of adapting to things in our environment are set in place by the time we’re about 6 years old.
So, for example, if you go into panic mode or assume you’ve done something wrong the minute your boss says they want to talk to you, or feel terrified when you’re asked to share your ideas or feedback in a group, that’s you getting hijacked by a younger part who was criticized, judged, shamed or told to shut up by a parent, caretaker, teacher or other significant person in your life.
At some point your younger self decided it was safer to be invisible, not share your thoughts or feelings and not ask for what you needed.
What may have kept you safe as a child is no longer helping you as an adult. In fact, it’s doing just the opposite.
Unless you are doing the work to heal the unhealed wounds of your inner child, those programs that were initially created to protect you are now the same programs that are preventing you from stepping into the fullness of your divine, sovereign Self!
This is SUCH important work and there is SO much more to say about it, especially if you want to get off the hamster wheel of quiet desperation, live free of anxiety, guilt and obligation, or are feeling guided to bring more of yourself to the world.
Stay tuned for more on this topic.
In the meantime, I’d like to invite you to find some time and space to get quiet, drop into your heart and invite your inner child to come forward. It may take some time but once you make a commitment to connecting with her or him and are truly curious and present to what they want to share, this connection will become easier.
Over time you will get clear about what wants to be healed within you.
I wish this for each and every one of you!
All love, from my Sacred Heart to yours,
Catherine
If you are ready to do some inner child healing, or simply want to know more about what’s possible, you can use this link to schedule a complimentary 20 minute session. I look forward to connecting. https://bit.ly/3c6P0Oe