Through the Eyes of Your Inner Child: New Perspectives and Possibilities
Life is a constant journey of growth and evolution. As we watch children navigate the world around them, we are reminded of our own journey to adulthood and the profound process of learning and adaptation that shaped our being.
The Unceasing Evolution of Young Minds
Children, with their insatiable curiosity, possess brains that resemble fertile grounds, ripe for the sowing of new ideas, connections, and experiences. With each passing moment, their neural pathways light up like constellations, forming intricate networks that lay the foundation for their thoughts, emotions, actions, and perceptions. It's an ecstatic dance of nature and nurture, as they seamlessly weave together the inner world of thoughts and emotions with the vast expanse of the outer world they observe.
These neural templates form blueprints of their future selves. Each giggle, each inquisitive glance, and every adventurous step into the unknown mold the adults they will become. Similarly, traumatic events affect the development of these young minds. When repeatedly exposed to stress, the brain adapts, learning ways to preserve, persist, and survive. These become the new norm. This becomes the way we think.
A Glimpse into Our Own Growth
As we enter adulthood, the neural circuitry that sparked new connections and calls to curious adventures become well-worn paths. Our thinking patterns become habituated. We begin to perceive the world in certain ways that align with our survival. We learn to shape our perception based on what our families, peers, and the world teaches us about how to navigate life. The lenses which once looked out with curiosity become clouded with familiarity, complacency, and resistance to change. Our brains, always efficient, prefer to build upon what they already know rather than venturing into the unknown.
But here's the exciting part: we possess the ability to defy this tendency. As adults, we have even more agency to decide what we believe, how we react, and what actions we take. We can rewire our brains by choosing differently. This is a power we often didn’t know we had as a child, but something we can now claim as adults.
We can, if we so choose, embrace the magic of new beginnings, looking at the world through fresh eyes. Art is a powerful mode of shifting these ways of thinking. Given new stimuli, our brains create new pathways and make connections between existing grooves of thought.
Rediscovering the World Anew
Imagine a world where every experience is approached as if for the first time, where each moment is an opportunity to rediscover the beauty and wonder that often goes unnoticed. Picture yourself absorbing the world with childlike awe, embracing the potential for growth with arms wide open.
How would you communicate if you were learning to talk?
What creative ways could you express your needs and desires? What new love languages and dialects would you be eager to learn? And how would your relationships transform if you let go of assumptions and met others with renewed curiosity?
Work, too, can be a realm of exploration.
How can you infuse your tasks with the same zest that comes naturally when playing in the great outdoors?
How can your inner child guide you to approach challenges with boundless enthusiasm and fearless determination?
Awakening the Inner Child for Unbounded Growth
Reconnecting with your inner child isn't just a nostalgic exercise; it's a gateway to exponential growth and personal integration. Just as children are sculpted by their experiences, we can reshape our neural pathways by revisiting the potential that resides within us. By nurturing that sense of wonder and amazement, we tap into the reservoir of creativity and innovation that knows no bounds.
Let's rephrase the familiar question we often hear, which goes something like:
”If you knew THEN what you know now, what would you do differently?”
This phrase asks us to imagine going back in time with all our current knowledge and experience, to guide our younger self into a different future. This way of thinking is self-negating at worst, and wishful thinking at best. It can keep us in a state of nostalgia, and if combined with negative self-perceptions, can lead to deeper feelings of shame and regret.
Instead, let’s reverse this question to ask:
"If you know NOW what you knew then, what would you do differently?"
This is an invitation to reunite with our Inner Child. We look the past to see that our young minds were already full of its own kind of wisdom; a mind full of possibility, positivity, and play. By reframing our thoughts to bring that inner child into our current timeline, we rekindle the flame of curiosity, and step into the world with renewed vitality.
In Conclusion
Just as children effortlessly adapt and evolve, so can we, with the conscious choice to embrace the world with fresh perspectives. We can transcend our traumas by choosing to think differently, no matter how uncomfortable, how scary. Our Inner Children are experts in listening to the call of the unknown and can guide us.
As you embark on this journey, remember that the power to break free from mental routine and emotional familiarity lies within you. So, take a deep breath, step outside your comfort zone, and witness the magic that unfolds when you dare to look at the world as if for the very first time.